BRAINTREE Town manager Alan Devonshire has warned Lincoln City will be a tough nut to crack when the sides meet in the FA Trophy.

The Iron are hoping to progress to the third round of the competition when they host the Imps at the Amlin Stadium today (kick-off 3pm).

Braintree currently sit nine points above Lincoln in the Skrill Premier table but boss Devonshire is nevertheless predicting a testing afternoon.

He said: “We want to do well in every competition we play and the FA Trophy is no exception.

“We’re expecting a tough game against Lincoln though.

“They did the double over us last season but we’re home and we want to have a run in this competition.

“I’m not the kind of manager who thinks doing well in the cups can distract you from your league form.”

Braintree head into back-to-back home games boosted by their 2-0 win at ten-man Chester last weekend.

Ryan Peters, Kenny Davis and Sean Marks will all be assessed ahead of the Lincoln match, having been in the treatment room on Tuesday.

Midfielder Matt Paine has also been carrying a knock but has trained.

Reis Farley-Hearn’s fine second-half strike helped a young Braintree side beat Barking 1-0 on Tuesday night in the Essex Senior Cup.

They will host either Harlow Town or Redbridge in the quarter-finals.