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

TimmyH added 23:14 - Jan 17 Firstly well done to Lincoln thoroughly deserved to go through...if it was a boxing match over 2 legs they would have comfortably won on points. I've been supporting Town for the last 42 years (since 1975) and I know a lot has changed in football since then but this is the most embarrassing match I can remember although not wholly surprising given that Mick McCarthy is the worst manager at this club in cup competitions (enlighten me if somebody can bring another name to the fore) ever! Nice and succinctly put by Ipswich legend Terry Butcher at the end of the match - a legend at this club Mr McCarthy will never be, please get out of our club and stop bleeding it of money on your salary now your well and truly past your sell by date.

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Town7579 added 23:16 - Jan 17 get him out and Rowatt in. never been more embarrassed.
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stinkiusminkius added 23:17 - Jan 17 Sacking MM would be a risk because he's had no budget and so it's tricky to know exactly how badly or well he has done. However it's got to be a risk worth taking, as long as the replacement at least tries to play football and uses youth - the old Ipswich principles.
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Suffolk_n_Good added 23:17 - Jan 17 62Wasbest I agree, the lads who wore this badge, wore it with pride, passion, determination & respect. This current mob wouldn't be fit to lace their boots!! I use it as this was the badge when I started supporting ITFC.
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Surco72 added 23:17 - Jan 17 Amazing amount of people been marking me down constantly for saying MM had done as much as he could here who are tonight jumping on the MM out band wagon , finally run out of excuses , lack of money , bad joke crowd , etc etc . MM has no style of play , no coaching ability and has now lost the players , stubborn to the end but finally time to go and ffs take Douglas and Knudsen with you

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stevieiriswattii added 23:19 - Jan 17 After the chink of light that was the Blackburn performance, normal service was resumed tonight. Embaressing, pathetic, clueless, amateurish, inexusable or as Terry said 'an utter disgrace. I will not be returning until McCarthy is gone. For those saying who can replace him, I don't care, anyone, anything, An inanimate object would be more preferable (at least we wouldn't have to listen to the constant excuses and sniping at fans). Bring back Burley, Butcher, Magilton, anyone who might instil some pride in the shirt and the possibility of occasionally passing the ball to another player in blue. I would rather be relegated than have McCarthy any longer at this once proud club.

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Dissboyitfc added 23:19 - Jan 17 Bossabout... he has been putting that team together over the last 4 years. He chose the team and lack of tactics! MM out now!!!!!!!!!
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sirmichealmills added 23:20 - Jan 17 “Yes, I would say they were,(Lincoln being more "up for it") definitely. Why that is I don't know. Of course it disappoints me. I'm disappointed with the performance, the manner of the defeat and everything that goes with it. “I can't do anything else than take it on the chin.” 😂😂😂😂
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Walk_the_Wark added 23:22 - Jan 17 It's taking a while for the management to comment- PLEASE LET IT BE A LEAAVING STATEMENT!!!!!
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Seasider added 23:23 - Jan 17 Firstly feel for our fans who went to Lincoln,it was bad enough watching at home. 57 years since being put out by a non league club,39 years since won FA Cup game on BBC The first stat looked distinctly possible as soon as team was announced,and first win on BBC since beating Arsenal in 1978 highly unlikely. McCarthy had recently given us supporters a few crumbs of hope that he had changed his outlook to the beautiful game.No he hasn't!!! Back to showing his contempt for cup games by changing nearly half the team. Back to showing his contempt for the travelling fans especially,and all the others watching on TV by his game plan,if it existed.HOOF WAS BACK WITH A VENGANCE. Knock it long(in the air) in the channels, where 9 times out of 10 it fell to opposition shirt. Over run in midfield,as you would expect as his favourite Dougie was back for all the game;his only contribution being a yellow card. Now all the country can see what us Town fans have had to endure under this so called Manager,although probably one of the lowest prime time viewing figures ever,I should think? Players wont be rushing to join Ipswich Town after this fiasco however,if there were any there wont be now! Many fans have voted with their feet,which has,I am sure been noticed by Evans and his acolytes.Now is the time for the 15000 remaining to let McCarthy know that he is no longer welcome as Manager of our Club. MC CARTHY OUT

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davidsc1971 added 23:25 - Jan 17 Well I think you're all being unfair and that Mick deserves to stay. Sorry everyone I am looking for ways to cheer myself up after that utter sh*te. Worst team in years - gutless, clueless and they've just humiliated us all on national TV, again. For half the side to look out of their depth against non-league opposition kind of says it all. We all knew it was coming. Can't wait to discuss this at work tomorrow :-(

2

Davidwb20 added 23:25 - Jan 17 We are a football club that has lost its way!! MM has not got a clue!! ME needs to act now!! MM out!! What every itfc fan and neutral person witnessed tonight was the most disgraceful performance ever put in by Ipswich Town football club!! If you genuinely support this club we all need to stay away until MM has gone-If we keep paying to watch this appalling football all we are doing is fuelling the fire!!

5

PSGBlue added 23:26 - Jan 17 Never mind being in Paris tonight, I have just arrived in Trinidad and Tobago for ten days and just found the score! Thank god I am 4000 miles away as my local team is actually Lincoln. I am not coming back until all the fuss has died down! Mick you must surely do the honourable thing and go, you surely have not got the front to take your big salary after that!
3

Westy added 23:28 - Jan 17 Humiliation on National, nay International TV. An embarrassment and shame on the Club never to be undone. To be outplayed by a non-League team may occasionally happen, but in two successive games ! We never, ever looked like winning that game. Anyone who watched that match cannot say that Mick has not lost the dressing room. The players did not seem to know the game plan if there ever was one. We could not bring the ball down, trap it or pass properly. The only time we played the ball on the deck was when we were passing sideways or backwards. Any forward movement was in the air and we invariably lost possession against a more determined side. I have felt the disappointment of defeat before as we all have, but this has to be a new low not least as it was almost expected. Ironic that Mick has not taken any cup competition seriously in his time in charge, that is until now, and we have still lost. Why would any players that Mick has bids in for want to come to the Club after that! I do not see how even MM can survive this one.

4

thebeat added 23:31 - Jan 17 If you defend that tonight and think he should stay then you are a knob. Fact.
3

norfstanda added 23:35 - Jan 17 Thought we played well and were unlucky to lose.....
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norfstanda added 23:37 - Jan 17 Super super mick, super mick Mccarthy.....
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Morgan added 23:38 - Jan 17 We are in a tricky situation. Mick is a solid manager who has mastered this level with a proven track record. He works on a limited budget and although this season has been disappointing gets the best out of a squad. He's taken 300 points for town and is the longest serving manager in the championship so is no mug. 'Evans out' simply is not a financially viable option for either party therefore won't happen, and in his defence the money spent has been high for a club in the same division as long as we have been. The fans won't come to watch this standard of football and seem to be dropping like flies which also is understandable to some extent based on what a lot of fans have been brought up on. I missed the glory years but was experienced the Burley era and this is a long way from That on and off the pitch. The squad seemed stronger the season after the playoff push but just didn't perform to the same level, having said that I recognise most of the current squad as Ipswich players who have rebuilt cpmmunity links eroded after Keane and Jewells years of mercenaries and loanees. I don't know what the answer is to this but it's a demoralising shame to be in this position. I understand the calls for wholesale changes but if the manager changes I don't think the owner will so there will be the same issues, therefore I can't see any long term benifit.

0

Europablue added 23:38 - Jan 17 Suffolk_n_Good then please suggest some realistic candidates for the job then I might be convinced.
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StochesStotasBlewe added 23:40 - Jan 17 norfstanda. Piss off.
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itfc_nik added 23:40 - Jan 17 Utter embarrassment, the team are clearly not responding to MM, there is no desire, no passion from the players, and they don't seem to know what theyre supposed to be doing. The club needs a new direction, MM was needed to stabalise the club when he took charge, but we need more young thinking now to move forward. Im with others, Cowley wouldnt be a bad appointment.
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Safetyfirstmrwark added 23:42 - Jan 17 MM OUT. EVANS OUT.
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leahcar88 added 23:44 - Jan 17 Surely a protest!!!
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Palestine added 23:45 - Jan 17 I thought Emmanuel looked really promising and should play RB from now on.
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norfstanda added 23:49 - Jan 17 Also thought douglas and skuse showed their class tonight in midfield. I am loving the passing game town are playing at moment. Definitely bringing sexy football back....
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