Town’s FA Cup third round replay at Lincoln City remains 0-0 at the break but with the home side having had the better of the first half.

Paul Digby, Leon Best, Dean Gerken, 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 will have to be a very much better prospect in the second half if they’re to avoid exiting the FA Cup to non-league opposition for the first time since January 1960 when they were beaten 3-2 by Peterborough at Portman Road.

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

Town: Gerken, Digby, Chambers (c), Berra, Emmanuel, Ward, Skuse, Douglas, Knudsen, Lawrence, Best. Subs: Bialkowski, Bru, Sears, Dozzell, McDonnell, Morris, Webber. Referee: Ben Toner.

Photo: Action Images

KernewekBlue added 22:22 - Jan 17 Can anyone remember a Town team (I use that word lightly) who played (ditto) anywhere nearly as pitifully as the televised debacle we've just witnessed? No movement, no passing, no cohesion, no desire shown, no idea! The worst display I've ever seen from a Town side. Lincoln deserved the win, no question. We were outfought, out passed, out thought and outclassed all over the pitch. We are in REAL trouble and in REAL danger of dropping down the leagues in freefall unless something changes and fast. Anyone got any thoughts on who the new manager will be?

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Bert added 22:23 - Jan 17 Welcome back all you MM haters and non attenders who only come on here when we lose; that said I only hope that MM listens to the commentary on BBC 1 to better understand what our team looks like at times. Was always going to go this way against a team that will win successive promotions. Pity that all the good on Saturday, and it was good, has been undone in front of the watching millions. Gerken man of the match.

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Daddio added 22:23 - Jan 17 Why are people surprised at the result, we play sh1te every week and Lincoln were always going to be up for this game - a chance to play in front of the nation. McCarthy picked Scuglass, because they're 'great blokes' can't play football for toffee but so what! It's time for a change, find a hungry manager from the lower divisions and start again, create some pride in playing for ITFC, play football not hoofball and try to recreate the good times

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bluedickie added 22:24 - Jan 17 Fock off mock you cont
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Umros added 22:25 - Jan 17 Refresh, refresh, refresh.........hasn't he gone yet, speak comfort to me TWTD
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muhrensweet4thijssen added 22:28 - Jan 17 Wow anyone thinks a change of manager is the only answer is having a laugh😂😂 same plan same outlook same spending same laughable hope... Different manager? Good luck! I think same as above different manager= relegation. Be careful what you wish for. I am embarrassed as a life long town fan but I think while Mick may have lost direction I struggle to see a stand out successor unfortunately. What about Brian Klug? George Burley?

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Norwichbeater added 22:28 - Jan 17 Steel monkey. Spot on...... nothing else needs to be said. That was a normal MM performance. Fact.
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Walk_the_Wark added 22:31 - Jan 17 Worst Town team, and now worst manager EVER. McCarthy - you are worse than Duncan or Keane, and I didn't actually think that was possible. You have no dignity left
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dirtydingusmagee added 22:32 - Jan 17 WELL DONE LINCOLN, NEVER heard of any of ya manager or players best team won by a mile over 180 mins, EVANS AND McCARTHY OUT
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dugoutdave added 22:32 - Jan 17 Alan Shearer... why not? At least he's got balls.
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inghamspur added 22:34 - Jan 17 I've just farted and it still doesn't smell as bad as that performance
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mkbobby added 22:36 - Jan 17 Hahahahahaha wtf , I coach a u16s boys team and they pass the ball around better than most of that team lets start from the back Gerken ok , Berra looked like he was on a self preservation job and could not win a header all night, digby battled ok , chambers I have never seen a professional pass or boot the ball out of play so much( got to go ),Skuse+ Douglas bloody awful should not be in a championship team, ward + Lawrence felt sorry for them not enough quality to help them, Emmanuel will be a star for us if allowed to play more games , Knudsen play him in the Berra role in a back 3 and I think he will flourish , best cannot play a lone role up top and should,not be at our club not good enough felt that Sears , dozell, and bru should have started I still don,t think the club will sack mm and he will definitely not quit its up to the fans to vote with their feet and boycott but we won,t because we all think secretly it might turn around in the next game good luck to you I,m done with I,m going to watch Arsenal with my boy who supports them least it's worth the excessive ticket price

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muhrensweet4thijssen added 22:37 - Jan 17 Wow worse than Duncan????? He gave us graham harbey and no direction. Worse than Keane who sold Rhodes and bought Priskin. Calm down everyone for gods sake. Our football is utter sh1t, Mick may have had his day here but wow I think the club as a whole is more of a joke than just Mr McCarthy
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Elizabeth added 22:40 - Jan 17 There are not enough adjectives in the English language to describe this gutless , pathetic performance and the distinct lack of effort from certain players at this club ! What a complete embarrassment this shower are ! As for the manager and coach what was coming from them . SWEET FA ! Those twxxx in midfield have let us down again ! How is it that everyone can see that apart from those two muppets ! I will not be posting again until radical changes are made ... Over and out !

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muhrensweet4thijssen added 22:46 - Jan 17 Shearer good shout... But can you see him trading MOTD for Do the best with what we have FC? Attractive football? AND Running a football team on a shoe string? Your having a laugh Carl Robinson? Punt Mick mills? GREAT SKIPPER but ZZZZZZZ Butcher .... Failure Magilton .... Get stuffed Evans I dread to think the names we are mentioned with if mick does go..... I think we will all be INCREDIBLY! INCREDIBLY!INCREDIBLY UNDERWHELMED!!!!!!

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Notts_tractor added 22:49 - Jan 17 McCarthy will still be there on Saturday, and the end of the season. Evans lost interest years ago. He has absolutely no football insight, either, so even if he sacked McCarthy he would just appoint another dinosaur like Roy Hodgson because he'd heard their name somewhere. Evans is by far the biggest problem. The club has been in steady decline since he bought it and it will sink even further whilst he remains the owner.

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EssexTractor added 22:50 - Jan 17 The first Ipswich Town programme I have is from the late 1950s v Lincoln City. On being given the 4d (old pennies) that I Started to go to Portman Road. Time plays tricks on memories, Sad Jackie Miburn era when bustling John Colrain tried to brute force balls across the line, wibbly wobbly John Duncan , Mick McGivern being sadly put in charge, Roy and Paul tried And failed in a different generation But tonight was without any doubt the worse ever Ipswich Town Football evening of all time Ok we once let in 9 against Man U , but that was Man U !! Take nothing away from Lincoln City, marvellous support , totally wholehearted team performance in two matches But everywhere tonight it was dire, no motivation, no inspiration, no passing , no pressure, no tackles, Gerken made a save, Emmanuel did try but can be turned on to his left foot when going forward and loses his impetus but HE HAD a shot. Knudsen home to Scandinavia maybe his next journey, Digby hoof, Chambers hoof, Berra hoof. However they must look in front of them and go " what's the point , we have no midfield " So hoof , hoof and hoof again! Midfield , don't let us start on tonight's joke, Skuse only ever faced Gerken , Douglas, the end must be nigh, Ward, just goes across field until someone almost blows him over, Best why ,oh why oh why! Lawrence, what a dreadful moment for him when his mishit free kick set Lincoln away for their deserved goal. But no criticism of him for his past performances. But to the manager, TV showed he whistled a lot, growled and yelled a few times, shrugged his shoulders a few times..but before the match incidents what did he do, what did he say to the players ? Lads they are great bang it upfield wear them out chasing it around for 120 minutes and we could be in with a chance on pens! Not one player really looked up for it over the match Not one Are they all below the playing ability of Tonight's National League team? Or has the ineptitude of management, coaches and of course owner disheartened them so that the very life has been sucked out of them What will the way forward be for this Suffolk side now laughed upon by all and sundry Very very sad

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