VERBAL WARFARE BREAKS OUT TO ADD SPICE TO CUP REPLAY

As if the prospect of another chance to embarrass Lincoln next week wasn't enough, Poppies fans are now looking forward to the match in ernest due to Peter Jackson's allegations of 'racism' during our previous encounter at Rockingham Road.

If Jackson's claims are, in fact, found to be true, then myself and every other Kettering Town fan would fully expect the club to deal with them in the most severe fashion. But as it stands, it is purely Lincoln's word against ours as there is no hard evidence to suggest that any racist chanting occured.

More than anything else, I was disappointed to hear Peter Jackson venting his views to the national media. Especially when the the two clubs had just played out such a full-blooded cup tie that was a fantastic advert for lower league football.

Reputations take a minute to start, and a very long time to shake off, and the potential tag of 'racist' is certainly not one that I would ever expect to be associated with Kettering Town in any form.

Let's all hope that we can put this ugly incident behind us and look forward to what promises to be a cracking, if not slightly bitter reunion at Sincil Bank.

POPPIES JOY IS SHORTLIVED AS LINCOLN SNATCH DRAMATIC EQUALISER

If you had offered me 1-1 before the start of play I would probably have taken it. As it turned out I left the A-line Arena feeling very disappointed. Not disappointed in my team, but that having done so well to get our noses in front we failed to close out the game and claim the scalp that we deserved.

The crowd's reaction to Exodus Geohaghon's late strike sparked scenes of jubilation on the terraces that would not have looked out of place had we won the FA Cup.

But seconds after I had sent a text message of unconfined joy I looked up horrified to see Dany N’Guessan rounding Lee Harper and sending the visiting supporters into raptures. How cruel football can be sometimes.

There was briefly time for both teams to launch late assaults on the opposition goal, but by then the 3,314 in attendance knew the match was destined to end as a draw.

Still, we should put this entire event into context. We have more than held our own against a League Two side, created far more chances than they did, silenced their fans for the majority of the game, and have left feeling aggrieved that we didn't win. That speaks volumes for how far the team has come in recent times, and that we have no reason to fear going to Sincil Bank in ten days time.

And now I fully expect us to do a professional job in the replay and reach the next round.