Sunday’s FA Cup third round draw was one of the most exciting things I have experienced in football in a long, long time. As more and more teams were drawn out, it became more and more likely that the Imps could look forward to a big Premier League side paying a visit to Sincil Bank.

Ok, so that didn’t happen, but Bolton Wanderers away is a very exciting prospect. It promises to be a high point in what has been a very frustrating season. The promotion push that Peter Jackson promised is now a relegation battle with the strikers still struggling to find the net in the league. The cup run has been a welcome distraction for City but the win over Northwich Victoria was important for a number of reasons.

Firstly, the financial rewards of the cup run might just give Chris Sutton the chance to bring in a new striker in January. It goes without saying that Lincoln lack fire power, as demonstrated in the 0-0 draw with Grimsby and the defeat to Rotherham. Rene Howe has now returned to Peterborough and Delroy Facey has joined up with the squad but a more permanent solution has yet to be found.

Clarke and Fagan did well on Saturday but in the league they are always going to struggle because as a pair they are simply too small. Playing in League Two requires a big, strong forward who can outmuscle the burly defenders that are typically found in this division. Fagan and Clarke will improve as soon as they have a big target man to play alongside them and hopefully the revenue generated by the cup run will allow Sutton to find one.

Secondly, a cup run might just give the players a bit more confidence and hopefully help them raise their games. There were a couple of stand-out performances on Saturday. Jamie Clarke took his goals very well, but I was most impressed with Adam Watts and Scott Kerr. Watts had a couple of nervy moments but was very solid and showed great maturity for such a young player. As for the Imps’ captain, his performance was nothing short of superb.

Kerr was dropped by Sutton when he first took over from Peter Jackson but the skipper may have convinced his new boss that he should be in the starting line-up. His work-rate was admirable and his passing was excellent, especially the two passes that lead to City’s first and third goals.

While these two players stood out, it should be said that no-one had a bad game and, considering the number of injuries, it was a very good, professional performance. New signing Chris Herd’s enthusiasm and endeavour was certainly commendable even if at times he lacked composure.

However the most important thing to come out of the game is a well deserved trip to a Premier League ground for the supporters. I was unable to attend the game at Northwich but as I watched the game on TV, I could hear the supporters singing their hearts out throughout the 90 minutes. They were a credit to the club and the city and thoroughly deserve their day out in Bolton. That might not sound like a reward to many, but it could be the best thing that happens all season.