Lincoln City: Gary Simpson rues missed chance in FA Cup

Simpson's side are 14th in the Conference, six points above the relegation zone and eight points off a play-off place

Lincoln City manager Gary Simpson said his team only have themselves to blame for not already being certain of a place in the FA Cup first round.

The Imps drew 1-1 at fellow Conference side Alfreton on Saturday and will replay the fourth-qualifying round tie at Sincil Bank on Tuesday.

"We set off great," Simpson told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

"The game should have been over at half-time. We had some good chances but didn't take them and then got edgy."

The Imps went ahead through Sean Newton's 10th-minute penalty after Tom Davies fouled Marcus Marshall.

But a much-improved Alfreton equalised after the break, Karl Hawley netting from close range following good work by Dan Bradley.

Simpson added: "In the second half we could barely stand up. We were slipping, we were making mistakes and we got edgy.

"But we have come away and we haven't been beaten and we now take them back to our place.

"We have to be better with the ball. In the second half we were as poor as we have been with the ball for a long time and I can understand the fans' frustration. But we will regroup on Tuesday."

The draw for the FA Cup first round takes place on Monday and is live on BBC Two, BBC Radio 5 live and online at 19:00 GMT.