Nathan Arnold’s late goal sent Sincil Bank wild as Vanarama National League leaders Lincoln City defeated Town 1-0 to record a famous FA Cup third round replay victory in front of a live TV audience. As at Portman Road in the first game, the Imps were the better side and Arnold confirmed one of the most embarrassing defeats in the Blues' history in the final moments when he was sent through on goal, rounded Dean Gerken and tapped the ball into the net.

Gerken, Paul Digby, Leon Best, Jonathan Douglas and Grant Ward all returned to a Blues line-up featuring five changes from the side which beat Blackburn 3-2 on Saturday.

Digby was handed his second start of the season - the other was in the EFL Cup - in what was a continuation of the three-man backline, playing on the right with skipper Luke Chambers in the middle and Christophe Berra on the left. Adam Webster missed out, due to an ankle injury.

Josh Emmanuel and Jonas Knudsen were again the wing-backs, while Gerken started in goal as he did in the first match with Bartosz Bialkowski the sub keeper.

Ward and Douglas were in central midfield with Andre Dozzell and Kevin Bru dropping to the bench. Best replaced Freddie Sears, who was also among the subs, up front with Tom Lawrence.

Also on the bench were youngsters Adam McDonnell, a midfielder, striker Ben Morris and left-back Pat Webber.

Lincoln named the same XI which started the 2-2 draw at Portman Road having made six changes for Saturday’s 3-1 FA Trophy victory at Gateshead.

Following a minute’s applause for ex-Imps boss Graham Taylor, who died last week, Lincoln, who lined-up in a 4-4-2 system, started on the front foot in front of a noisy Sincil Bank crowd but without being able to carve out an early opening.

Town first threatened from a long Knudsen throw from the left but Lincoln eventually cleared the danger.

On 10 Nathan Arnold shot well over for the home side, then soon afterwards Lawrence, scorer of both Town’s goals in the first match and five in his last three matches, broke forward ominously and hit a low 25-yard strike which Imps keeper Paul Farman got down to his right to save at a stretch.

Matt Rhead, who had already been spoken to by referee Ben Toner twice for transgressions, headed a cross well wide in the 15th minute with Blues keeper Gerken still to be seriously tested.

Lincoln were having most of the ball with the Blues unable to keep it whenever they got hold of it.

The home side began to threaten and in the 24th minute the ball was played into Theo Robinson’s feet on the edge of the six-yard box. The former Derby man, who scored twice in the first match, tried to turn but found his way blocked by Chambers and Digby.

The Blues were under the cosh against the again impressive Vanarama National League leaders but on 29 Best brought the ball out and fed Lawrence to his left.

The Welshman played a superb first-time ball in towards Ward breaking in on goal down the middle but too far in front of the former Spurs man, who went to ground as he collided with Farman but without claiming a penalty.

But Lincoln continued to pin Town back inside their own area and on 33 Terry Hawkridge crossed from the right, however, Rhead was unable to make a clean contact on the ball, which flew wide.

Town made it out of their own half in the 36th minute and Ward fed Emmanuel to his right but the wing-back’s cross didn’t find a Blues player and the Imps cleared.

There was a big scare for the Blues a minute from the end of the half when Imps skipper Luke Waterfall was found in space from a knockdown from a long throw on the left and seemed certain to score. However, Gerken quickly came off his line to palm his effort past the post. Inexplicably referee Toner gave a goalkick.

Town would have been much the happier to hear the official’s whistle ending a half which had been thoroughly dominated by the home side.

The Imps had controlled the game throughout with the Blues forced to defend on the edge of their box for long spells and will feel they had done enough to go in front.

Waterfall’s chance towards the end of the half was the best of the game, while Lawrence’s strike from distance was the only save home keeper Farman had been forced to make.

The Blues needed to improve significantly in the second half to avoid an embarrassing FA Cup exit.

Lincoln began the second half much as they had ended the first and on 50 Rhead was booked for catching Berra with an arm as they battled in the air, a challenge which the Scottish international and a number of other Town players were less than impressed with . Soon after, Lawrence suffered a shoulder injury after being blocked by Bradley Wood.

Town made their first foray forward of the half in the 54th minute but Knudsen’s cross from the left was blocked.

Emmanuel forced Farman into his first serious save of the game in the 58th minute, hitting a powerful shot on the turn from the edge of the area but the keeper got down to his left to block and the loose ball was cleared.

Town subsequently put the Imps under a brief spell of pressure as Knudsen sent in some long throws from the left but without creating an opportunity.

But Lincoln quickly began to look the more threatening side again and just before the hour Douglas was booked for a foul on Rhead on halfway.

On 65 Hawkridge struck a shot from distance that Gerken pawed away to his right and claimed at the second attempt.

Eight minutes later, Best profited from a Lincoln error midway inside their half and brought the ball forward to the edge of the box before hitting a shot which was blocked.

That was Best’s final action of another not overly convincing display with Freddie Sears replacing him as Andre Dozzell took over from Ward.

Arnold shot over for the Imps as home fans stood to applaud Graham Taylor as phone lights were held aloft for a minute.

As the game moved into its final five scheduled minutes a poor clearance fell to Knudsen on the edge of the box but the Dane’s volley flew wide.

Soon after Wood was booked for a foul on Lawrence and from the Town freekick the Imps won the tie.

As the fourth official raised the board indicating four additional minutes, the on-loan Leicester man’s freekick was headed clear, Lincoln sub Adam Marriott broke and drew two Town defenders and played in Arnold, who rounded Gerken and tapped home to seal the victory and send the home fans into raptures.

The Blues desperately looked to get themselves back into the game in the remaining minutes but it was Gerken who was forced into a save rather than Farman, sub Jack Muldoon hitting a shot into Gerken’s midriff.

Soon after, the referee confirmed one of the most humiliating defeats in Town's history, only their second FA Cup defeat to non-league opposition since the Blues became a Football League club in 1938, the first their 1960 loss to Peterborough,

The Imps, who have reached the fourth round for the first time since 1976 and face a tie against Championship leaders Brighton, thoroughly deserved their win having been the better side in both matches. Lawrence’s goals saved the Blues in the first game but the on-loan Leicester man couldn’t save woeful Town a second time.

Town, who are still without an FA Cup win since the victory at Blackpool in January 2010, can have no complaints about the result and the opprobrium which is set to come their way having been outplayed by a team from three levels below them for a second time in front of a nationwide and global TV audience.

Lincoln: Farman, Wood, Haberham, Waterfall (c), Power, Rhead, Hawkridge (McCombe 90), Raggett, Arnold (Muldoon 90), Woodyard, Robinson (Marriott 78). Unused: Long, Miles, Weatherell, Walker.

Town: Gerken, Digby, Chambers (c), Berra, Emmanuel, Ward (Dozzell 75), Skuse, Douglas, Knudsen, Lawrence, Best (Sears 75). Unused: Bialkowski, Bru, McDonnell, Morris, Webber. Referee: Ben Toner (Lancashire). Att: 9,067 (Town: 1,094).

Photo: TWTD

powinswitch added 22:33 - Jan 17 Utterly lacked a tactical direction throughout the game. We set up with goalkeeeper, 5 defenders and 2 defensive midfielders. That leaves 3 players with attacking intent. We again found it difficult to pass the ball on the floor to a fellow Tractorboy. We stood off the Lincoln players, while they harried and closed down our space. As Jenas said we lacked any organisation. As Butcher said it was a disgrace. But let's not be surprised, this has been evident all too often since the late autumn of 2015, with the odd game here and there where we have done ok. All too many false dawns. And far too many apologists for McCarthy on here. He has to go.

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Lightningboy added 22:34 - Jan 17 RIGHT! This has to stop tonight - that was an utter disgrace - McCarthy has to resign now,not tomorrow or next week,NOW. Between them Evans and McCarthy are destroying everything our club stands for..i've never been so embarrassed,disheartened or depressed at supporting our club. Some of the players out there tonight should not even be playing football - they are a disgrace to the great names who have proudly worn our shirt - I for one never want to see Skuse or Douglas on our team sheet ever again. Well done Lincoln - you did yourselves and Graham Taylor proud tonight. I pray someone in the press room grows a pair tonight/tomorrow and confronts McCarthy about doing the honourable thing and resigning. This cannot go on any longer.

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cornishblu added 22:34 - Jan 17 Europablue ...post that rubbish if you are still on the fence then that makes me give up....you don't need a budget for passion .....no wonder the club is going nowhere when it has apologists like you
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bossabout added 22:35 - Jan 17 Don't get me wrong, McCarthy needs to go but the players need to take some responsibility. They are meant to be championship footballers and they got outplayed by a non league team. They can't even make a pass. Absolute joke
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bstokeblue39 added 22:36 - Jan 17 Embarassing, having stood on the fence for so long, please do the right thing and ask for your P45 Mick. Unfortunately no passion and too many of the team either not worthy of the shirt or underachieving under the management team.
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drewcudders1963 added 22:37 - Jan 17 Well Lincoln are not a particularly good team but they made us look totally pathetic. I have supported Ipswich for 50+ years and I have never seen such an inept performance. Why on earth were Douglas, Berra and Best on the pitch ? I have always supported MM & TC as they have had no financial backing but tonight wasn't about finance it was about motivating a group of players to out perform a team 59 places below you in the pyramid structure and you couldn't do it. Not only that but every time the BBC cameras zoomed in on you, you didn't seem to be doing anything to motivate your players..... luckily I had the pleasure (?) of watching the game on TV from the comfort of my home - I hope the Club compensate the poor souls that made the effort to travel to Lincoln..... Tomorrow I will wake up and take some stick at work from other football fans about my team but the ITFC players will be on "warm downs" and light training and having a good laugh on the training ground - enjoy boys..... let's hope you improve for Saturday!!

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WestNorfolk_Blue added 22:38 - Jan 17 I hope the coach driver is as pissed of as we are and drives home empty.
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blue added 22:38 - Jan 17 Look on the bright side , theres always next year .cup could of been a hinderence this year with what pile of hoof ball we have contributed this year .playoffs here we come super talent brought to the squad :) ;) ;) Amazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing manager
4

blue added 22:38 - Jan 17 Look on the bright side , theres always next year .cup could of been a hinderence this year with what pile of hoof ball we have contributed this year .playoffs here we come super talent brought to the squad :) ;) ;) Amazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing manager
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happybeingblue added 22:38 - Jan 17 You have to ask yourself how did most of them on that pitch make it as a professional footballer where do you start with the team, they really are dreadful, our once proud club well and truly gone to the wall, it's time for Mick to go outplayed in 2 games by a non league team, whatever £ those players are earning They don't deserve any of it, hang your heads in shame for bringing embarassment to the club,and the town.Terry butcher summed it up perfectly

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Orraman added 22:38 - Jan 17 Without a doubt the lowest ebb in my 40+ years of following Town. Surely now Evans has to act and get this moron out of our club. Can anyone believe that any other football club from the Premier League down to the Thurlow Nunn league would tolerate this level of management incompetency coupled with his arrogance and disdain for supporters. Now everyone in the country has seen what we have had to suffer for the past 18 months although probably viewing figures were down to around 520 by midway through the first half.

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MickCuresInsomnia added 22:39 - Jan 17 You're a disgrace McCarthy!!! You don't deserve to have that badge emblazoned anywhere on your person...... EVANS.........ACT NOW YOU NUMPTY!!! 😡
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potter84 added 22:39 - Jan 17 Sorry can't defend that one! What a poor team we have become, never wanted mick at the club but was pleasantly surprised as to how well we had come on under his management in the past two seasons. Like the majority after watching that this evening I now feel he has to go, my reasons we can't defend we have no direction we don't have a decent goal score on our books for past two seasons Fraser-loan Lawrence-loan the exception! There's nothing in the middle, have always thought skuse work goes unnoticed and gets unfair stick for others failings. We r desperately lacking a leader and someone with creativity. Best is past his, sears is a worker but not much of a goal poacher! Ward looks far from the player he was at the start of the season, chambers Berra look exhausted, fed up and uninterested out of ideas! What's bloody well happened? We are now in the same merry go round we were in under Keane. Get Gary rowett in now and bring on the young guns for the next season, this lot look ready for the holidays! Sorry mick supported you up to this point but it's now no longer a matter of time but when. Thankyou good bye you are towns weakest link!

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GoldieBlue added 22:40 - Jan 17 It's now or never. McCarthy out FFS
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Kuqicoo added 22:40 - Jan 17 Saw that coming. We are a pathetic shambles...no direction, no ideas, no guts. We have been like this regularly for a while now. MM has to go now. The football we play is dire. Being outplayed by a non league team not once but twice is an utter disgrace. I'm sick and tired of national TV showing how inept we really are. I cannot describe how angry I am about the way our club is being run. Marcus evans...wake the hell up! And Mick just please go now. Thankyou for saving us 4 years ago but seriously I can't watch my team anymore while you're in charge.

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TractorBoy666 added 22:40 - Jan 17 Can anybody tell me how many forward passes were made that actually went to one of our players?! Honestly, investment will do nothing until this manager has gone because who actually coaches these players? Evans? No wonder he doesn't want to get his wallet out but at the same time he's happy to remain in the championship! Utterly hopeless display, I have never been so embarrassed watching us. How McCarthy is still in the job, heavens knows but this becoming a big joke. We the fans have to act NOW and put an end to this woeful era.

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cfmoses added 22:41 - Jan 17 For the umpteenth time, when the subs were warming up I was screaming take off Douglas!! I should have known better. After all he had made three good back passes all game and had got booked - a real bloke.
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robitfc12 added 22:41 - Jan 17 Well how long to we have to sink before Evans wakes up and smells the coffee and gets rid of this ineffectual manager that is slowly ruining our once proud club
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bossabout added 22:41 - Jan 17 Too much blame on manages and not enough on players. Players just aren't good enough.
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jonnysuave added 22:41 - Jan 17 My phone keeps binging, I didn't even know I knew that many people....
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robitfc12 added 22:42 - Jan 17 manager is responsible for the players he puts out !!
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Beattiesballbag added 22:42 - Jan 17 As Terry Butcher said Utter disgrace Mick McCarthy, He is disrespectful to the competion to our club & to the fans with the team he put out (Skuse Douglas Best & Ward all together probably didn't cover the ground that Lawence did on his own!). He has destroyed the clubs reputation for playing football & any one who disagrees with that is not being honest! Previous seasons I've stated that we will go no where under him, I have to hold my hands up & say I was wrong as it's quite clear he will take us down sooner or later if he stays. Lets just hope Evans isn't foolish enough to give him any money as it would be nothing but a waste. He's Even making Keen Look good & I didn't think that was possible!

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Lightningboy added 22:43 - Jan 17 @ Norwichbeater Re Magilton - spot on - we've gone absolutely nowhere since Jim was sacked. Evans has a lot to answer for.
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papashango87 added 22:44 - Jan 17 Still don't know why some people just single out Douglas....how was he worse than anyone else. What did skuse do better? Didn't even know he was on there. Berra can go to Hearts. Wouldn't have him in a Sunday league team.
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SibleTractorBoi added 22:44 - Jan 17 Been looking at this site for about 18 months. The decline in our ability to even make a pass is ridiculous sorry Mick but you have got to go money or not there is no excuse for this style of play. This really is not the right direction for our club please leave.
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