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

planetblue_2011 added 23:54 - Jan 17 8 players should take a hard look at them selves and take up another career. Gerken, Emmanuel & Lawrence are the only 3 who tried, the rest should never play in a town shirt again!!!!! Utter garbage ashamed to be a town fan. Lincoln deserved it & good for them, enough said...
6

megamoth added 23:55 - Jan 17 What the hell does Chambers say in the huddle? Right lads, we haven't met before. Let's take it in turns to introduce ourselves. I'm Luke and I play at the back - sometimes on the right and sometimes in the middle. OK let's start with you (looks to his immediate left) who are you and where do you like to play?
11

KernewekBlue added 23:58 - Jan 17 Most people saying, as am I, that MM needs to part ways with this club. He'd done ok to begin with on a limited budget with limited players. Unfortunately, this season in particular and our limp displays over these last two cup games just go to show how inept our beloved team has become under his management. We're on borrowed time if something doesn't change and fast. The writing's on the wall. MM's not the only one to blame though. We need the dead wood cut out of our club to allow it a chance to flourish again. Douglas and Skuse must go for starters. Berra was woeful tonight and if a deal can be done with Hearts, please, someone get it done quickly. Leon Best is a burnt out shell. Others need to look at themselves in the mirror and have a word or two. Everyone tonight seemed to be playing under a cloud of fear... against a non-league outfit who shouldn't be good enough to polish their boots. Congratulations to Lincoln though... a well deserved victory of football over hoofball played with plenty of heart! Getting back to the dead wood, ME needs to pack a bag and get the hell out of Dodge too. I'm sure he knows of a Chinese or Russian billionaire somewhere with an interest in owning a football club with a pedigree and history of past glories who would splash some cash on decent playing staff and a manager with some ability and tactical knowhow. Massive change needed on all fronts to stem the tide of mediocrity and relegation.

5

Carberry added 23:59 - Jan 17 There's very little more to say is there? Just one thing, in that recent interview on here Chambers talked about 'just going through the motions'. Well that was evident tonight from him and the rest. Could you imagine Butcher doing that once he had pulled on a blue shirt?
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BrettenhamBlue added 23:59 - Jan 17 Norfstanda Douglas and class in the same sentence is an abomination. humiliated on live tv as we hoofed and hoofed. Ashamed to be a fan.
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SohoBlue added 00:02 - Jan 18 Dear God, where do you start...long ball panic with a scared, hit and hope hoofball approach and not even an effective target man to aim for. More backward passing and goal facing than ever, and an absence of imagination or flair. Long gone are the days of skill, pace, composure, slick passing football and the good use of wide men willing to run at defenders. We were so narrow and played so deep that we had no outlet, and the midfield were out-muscled and Lincoln's desire for the ball meant they bossed midfield and just waited for us to cede possession. As Lincoln pressed, not one man, bar Lawrence, stood his ground, ran at them and took them on with the support of his team mates in numbers. I think Mick McCarthy just lost a lot of respect from the whole country, let alone fans. His reputation is shot. A shame as I think he is a good, if stubborn, man at heart. But the whole club now needs to start a major overhaul, top to bottom. There is simply no confidence left. The question is, who will buy us, or who is brave enough to give youth a chance and re-discover the Ipswich style of play? Sad, sad day, but I still love the club and think we'll be back. Poor Terry Butcher.

5

KernewekBlue added 00:05 - Jan 18 Douglas is reportedly very upset at losing the game tonight and has said he's going home to kick the cat... which will go straight out of play for a throw in to the opposition!
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shakytown added 00:11 - Jan 18 Just watched the game here in new Zealand and I have never believed we could sink so low. Absolutely embarrassed by this rubbish and the poor standard of our players.
5

StavangerBlue added 00:24 - Jan 18 WOW! Now Terry "former England Captain" Butcher said it all. "Autopsy"! There is no excuse for that display. We were outclassed in desire, passion, fever, hope and skill. Apart from Tom Lawrence, we were a dire show of poor quality Championship hopefuls. MM is not the answer. I have a great regard to him and TC but enough is enough. We need a new direction.
9

Facefacts added 00:29 - Jan 18 Pathetic. Just watched the whole game on Sky +. Wish I hadn't. I was out earlier. To give it away at the end from our own free-kick. Lawrence hero to zero. When the whole defence is up for the free-kick you cannot afford a poor delivery. He hit the first man which took out our whole defence. Will take me a while to get over it and I won't sleep well tonight, what's left of it. We just had to approach both games properly and would have swept aside such a poor and limited team as Lincoln. I think this is the lowest ebb ever. McCarthy out - not especially for tonight but because we disrespect the FA Cup and cannot raise ourselves for these games and that is completely down to him.

0

GiveusaWave added 00:31 - Jan 18 Bad night to be a Town fan but we honestly play this way every week. This was a bang average game for ITFC these days. No commitment, no creativity and get the ball to Lawrence who might beat a few players and score from distance. Midfield is a joke and lack of ideas is unbelievable, misplaced passes have become the norm. Lincoln think this is a huge giant-killing but we aren't a giant. Brighton? Now that would be a giant-killing.... Had a fair few texts talking about the game...mainly about how unbelievably poor we are and how are we even a Championship side? Good points made by all texters. Neutrals will take the following from the game: We have one game plan....get the ball to Lawrence Midfield is unbelievably poor So are strikers Defence dodgy Players act like they are playing for different teams Players fall over a great deal Time Wasting....had a few texts on that about how we time wasted when at 0-0. Noticed that myself. Knudsen very dodgy Can't pass, cross or shoot And that's against a non-league club.

6

Walk_the_Wark added 00:33 - Jan 18 I think we are all missing the point. We are all passionate supporters who care about the club and the football. The management clearly do not- and that was there for the whole world to see tonight. As hard as it is, the only way to change the set up is to stop supporting it until it changes :-(
3

arablue added 00:39 - Jan 18 Have always wished to see Ipswich make the news in the papers here in Malaysia, that the club I have supported since 1980 be known for its deed on the field.. ...I should have been careful for what I wished for...sigh...
3

NYPDBlue added 00:59 - Jan 18 On Xtra they said Lincoln winning was a "feel good story". Nothing against Lincoln but this should worry all EFL teams. This is a sorry indictment of the Championship. The lower leagues (and I include the Championship) is bereft of talent. The second tier is becoming a joke, picked clean of any player with an ounce of ability. So I guess there is 58 places between the teams so this must be an upset, right? I look at the Ipswich team, and which players are man for man superior to those on the Lincoln team? Our club, once known for its passing football, has become an unwatchable pale imitation of a football team. On one level: who cares? on another: it breaks my heart! Unquestionably Mick McCarthy is a manager who has made a living grinding the best out of an average-at-best squad. That is his appeal and his unfortunate legacy. During the last 18 months he has presided over some of the most insipid town performances in the history of this club. His style of football is almost unconscionable but what should we expect with the limited resources he has at his disposal? Are we at a turning point? God I hope so! How long can this continue? I struggle to understand the motivation of this owner. The only thing that unites our fan base is a fear of falling into League 1 but at this point the journey may be more interesting. Lets not mince words - Ipswich Town FC is an empty shell, the heart and soul has been lost. It is more fun to support a non-league team than a former UEFA cup winner. I am in mourning. Our club has passed away.

6

BrettenhamBlue added 01:16 - Jan 18 League Cup Exit at home in the first round to Stevenage FA Cup exit in third round to Lincoln live in front of millions. Can our season actually get any worse????
3

jonnnywilliams added 01:23 - Jan 18 I watched Superbad instead of this match. THANK GOD
1

Bert added 01:30 - Jan 18 As bad as it was, Lincoln are really a League One team so some perspective is required. A change is needed no doubt but without an investment pot I cannot see an end to this mediocrity. We need a risk taking investor and fresh blood but I don't berate MM for giving his best shot. He will not walk, would anyone in a job do so if he has not been given the tools to do the job? A parting of the ways in an undisclosed deal is what is required. Apart from being deeply sad about our club, reading the personal bile and prat like behaviour towards individuals makes me realise that watching Town is just a little more satisfactory than reading the irrational posts on here from the haters.

-3

pioneerbob added 01:37 - Jan 18 The performance tonight was the worst I've ever seen of any Ipswich Town team - no organisation, no passion, no desire. A hollow performance in every respect. The fact that this dire, gutless performance has gone out all over the globe frankly gives me nightmares. Our once great club is once again out of the cup NOT WITH A BANG BUT A WHIMPER.
6

NYPDBlue added 02:10 - Jan 18 Terry Butcher is upset. Fans are saying it is worst performance they've ever seen. What have you been watching for the past 18 months? This result should surprise no one. We were abject and terrible but no worse than we see week in week out. I play this game where I count the number of consecutive completed passes. It goes like this: 1-2, 1, 1, 1-2, 1, 1-2-3, 1, 1-2,1, 1, 1, 1-2, 1-2-3-4 GOAL (very occasionally). This current team is the worst I can remember in any league at any time and it didn't become that overnight. Mick step down. Marcus take a long walk on a short pier.

4

itfchorry added 02:26 - Jan 18 Just arrived back home - This nightmare has to end ASAP - How can you continue ? You are an embarrassment to our Club -
2

BrettenhamBlue added 03:12 - Jan 18 Just woke up after a nightmare that we lost to Lincoln. oh.
2

Jakewxm added 05:29 - Jan 18 Watched on tv and showed no attacking intent whatsoever. I don't think even Mick himself can defend this. Time for a fresh start. New manager in before the window closes. Lots of changes needed.
3

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 05:46 - Jan 18 Emmanuel didn't disgrace himself. Neither did Gerken; in fact, he kept us in the game longer than we deserved. Lawrence tried to lift us with some individual effort. Apart from those three, it is very difficult to find anything positive to say about anyone else in the team. Is it outdated hoofball tactics or are our players really just not that good? I really do struggle to understand. I don't think we are safe in the Championship based on this performance. Very disappointed. We could go all the way down in a few years from here because living in the past is not an option any more. COYB!

3

clint_eastwood added 06:09 - Jan 18 This is the lowest of the lowest! What will it take for him to get the sack? Come on, Marcus, grow some balls, FFS! Anyone with half a brain can see this!
3

graham2408 added 06:35 - Jan 18 When you have "cloggers" like Skuse and Douglas in midfield, with no creative ability, no chances are going to be made. It also helps to be able to pass to our own players something we did not do last night (Berra and Chambers note!). Apart from the Jackie Milburn era, I cannot remember Town playing as poorly. Better defenders and someone to "load the gun" - midfielders - are a priority.

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