Lincoln will need replay after Alfreton draw

Lincoln City will need a replay against Alfreton in order to qualify for the FA Cup. The Imps dominated the first half before Joe Anyon was sent off just before half time, an incident that changed the game. The replay will be on Tuesday evening.

Alfreton kicked off the game but it was the Imps who were the first to press as Sam Smith set up Josh O'Keefe, he attempted a first time shot but a handball decision meant that his effort wouldn't have counted even if it had gone in. City had shouts for a penalty minutes later when Smith went down under a challenge from Franks in the box, only for the referee to ignore appeals. Alfreton's first attack saw a very timid shot go wide.

10 minutes in and a good move from City allowed City to break the deadlock. Nutter and Nicolau linked up on the left before the latter crossed the ball into the box, Sam Smith jumped and headed in for his sixth goal of the season, three of which have now come against Alfreton.

Lincoln were looking comfortable against an Alfreton side who were barely able to string two passes together. Nelson headed over from another Nicolau cross before a rare Alfreton attack saw Anyon save Senior's header and minutes later those two would be involved with each other again. A ball was played forward and Anyon collected the ball, Senior almost connected with a sliding tackle trying to win the ball and went to do a usual "good effort" tap, only for Senior to act like he had been shot. The referee consulted her linesman and she sent Anyon off. This allowed Nick Draper to make his debut. Jarman scored from the resulting penalty to end the half.

Nelson had an acrobatic effort go just wide to start the second half before Jarman hit the inside of the post form the reuslting goalkick, Moult firing the loose ball over. Streete headed over whilst unmarked in the box.

Senior was again involved in a controversial moment as he went in hard on Sinclair and tapped the back of his head in the same way that Anyon had done his. The referee saw this but decided not to even give a yellow card for an incident that she had given City's Anyon a red card for.

The game was quiet with only half chances here and there. Playing the 4-4-1 formation was never going to prove to be a goal frenzy chance in the making but when Francis Laurent replaced his friend Jean-Francois Christophe, he came close to scoring on his debut as his goalbound effort from the right went off a defender and was only barely saved by Lowson.

Neither side could manage a second goal and both go into Sunday's first round draw.