A thrilling cup tie at Sincil Bank saw Lincoln City crash out of the FA Cup at the Second Round stage after a 4-3 defeat to Hereford United.

Mathieu Manset gave Hereford the lead after only 4 minutes but City’s Jamie Clapham equalised just two minutes later. The Imps took the lead halfway through the first half through Delroy Facey but Stuart Fleetwood’s strike cancelled that out before the Welsh striker fired Hereford in front just before half time.

Loanee Ashley Grimes levelled things up again for Steve Tilson’s side just after the break, but Manset’s second 18 minutes from time was enough to send the Bulls, who finished with ten men after Ryan Green was sent off, through to a Third Round tie against Wycombe Wanderers.

City have now lost their last three home games in all competitions and are without a win in 5 matches—their last win coming against Hereford in the league back in November before the big freeze struck.

With Danny Hone ineligible and Adam Watts injured, Paul Green returned to the Imps starting line-up for the first time since recovering from a thigh problem which had ruled him out for most of the current season. Mustapha Carayol, Albert Jarrett and Luke Howell were also recalled to the starting 11, as was Cian Hughton who had been out of favour since Chris Sutton had left the club.

With their cup dream now over, City will now turn their attention back to League Two as they continue to flirt with the relegation zone. High-flying Wycombe Wanderers visit Sincil Bank on Saturday.