City went ahead in the 27th minute when Rhead headed down Paul Farman's free-kick and Adam Marriott turned his marker to fire home a left-footed effort.
The hosts were level two minutes after the break when Ismail Yakubu prodded home from close range after a corner had been flicked on at the near post.
Lincoln retook the lead in the 60th minute as a quick free-kick from Alex Woodyard found Jack Muldoon and his cross picked out Rhead, who made no mistake in beating Michael Poke.
Rhead then wrapped up victory from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute after Jonny Margetts was tripped.
But he missed the chance of a hat-trick seven minutes later when Poke tipped a second penalty around the post after Bradley Wood was bundled over.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
Match ends, Woking 1, Lincoln City 3.
Second Half ends, Woking 1, Lincoln City 3.
Substitution, Lincoln City. Elliot Hodge replaces Taylor Miles.
Taylor Miles (Lincoln City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Substitution, Lincoln City. Taylor Miles replaces Nathan Arnold.
Brian Saah (Woking) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Substitution, Woking. Max Kretzschmar replaces Ben Gordon.
Goal!  Woking 1, Lincoln City 3. Matt Rhead (Lincoln City) converts the penalty with a right footed shot.
Penalty conceded by Nathan Ralph (Woking) after a foul in the penalty area.
Penalty Lincoln City. Matt Rhead draws a foul in the penalty area.
Sam Habergham (Lincoln City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Substitution, Woking. Charlie Penny replaces Dennon Lewis.
Substitution, Lincoln City. Jonathon Margetts replaces Adam Marriott.
Corner,  Woking.
Goal!  Woking 1, Lincoln City 2. Matt Rhead (Lincoln City).
Corner,  Woking.
Jamie McCombe (Lincoln City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Goal!  Woking 1, Lincoln City 1. Ismail Yakubu (Woking).
Corner,  Woking.
Substitution, Woking. Ismail Yakubu replaces Fabio Saraiva.
Second Half begins Woking 0, Lincoln City 1.
First Half ends, Woking 0, Lincoln City 1.
Corner,  Lincoln City.
Joey Jones (Woking) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Goal!  Woking 0, Lincoln City 1. Adam Marriott (Lincoln City).
Corner,  Lincoln City.
Corner,  Lincoln City.
Corner,  Woking.
Corner,  Lincoln City.
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.

The 23-year-old Spaniard played 34 times for the Blues after joining the club from Barcelona in 2011.
Romeu has spent the past two seasons on loan, at German club Stuttgart and at Valencia in his homeland.
He was on the bench for Chelsea's 2012 Champions League final win over Bayern Munich but missed out on the 2012 FA Cup and 2013 Europa League victories.
Saints executive director of football Les Reed said Romeu had been "on the radar for some time" and "matches the Southampton profile" of being "young, hungry and developed at a top academy".
"Like Ryan Bertrand, we believe we have recruited another Chelsea player with an excellent pedigree but also with lots of potential to develop," said Reed.
Romeu said: "After spending two years on loan, I needed something permanent and a club with a future - and I think I chose the right one."
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.
Matt Rhead's second-half brace ensured Lincoln started the National League season with a 3-1 victory over Woking at Kingfield.
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Southampton have signed Chelsea midfielder Oriol Romeu for £5m on a three-year contract.