Steve Melton will be in with the corporate crowd when he watches his home city take on his old club tomorrow.

But the former Albion midfielder might just look across towards the away end at some stage and wish he was soaking up the FA Cup atmosphere in there.

Melton did not have to join the lengthy queues to get his ticket.

He will be at Sincil Bank as guest of a mate who does some sponsorship of the National League leaders.

So far this season he has got to see them “four or five times” and is enjoying the excitement around the city resulting from their results.

The Argus:

Steve Melton is enjoying the buzz around Lincoln

It all reached fever pitch when Ipswich Town were dumped out in a third round replay live on television and Albion will be subjected to a partisan atmosphere in the Fens.

But, while pleased for Lincoln, Melton also has reason to be pleased Albion, who he helped to promotion from both the fourth and third tier, are also top of their table.

Melton, who was born in Lincoln and lives in the city, said: “There’s a bit of a buzz about the place.

“As a club they are probably too big for the Conference.

“Teams they play against are not of the same stature in terms of support and following.

“With every round they get through, there’s a lot more demand for tickets.

“The financial importance of going through to the next round is also a big carrot for the club.

“They lost on Tuesday (3-0 at Barrow), which was disappointing. The question being asked was whether they had their thoughts on the FA Cup.

“I watched it on TV and there was no lack of commitment.

“They are competitive even more so when they play against a team of higher standing and with more quality.

“They will certainly be up for it – as much as they were for the Ipswich game if not more.”

Much of Lincoln’s work will be based around Matt Rhead, the 6ft 1in former Mansfield targetman who weighs in at approaching 15 stone.

The Argus:

Steve Melton in action towards the end of his career 

Melton is impressed by the way the Imps use him.

He said: “They play an extra man in midfield and get the ball wide.

“They don’t really go from back to front as you might expect.

“They play three or four passes, get the ball wide and then deliver it from an angle. They will get players running off him, playing off him and winning the second ball.

“It is effective. They are a fit and competitive side and the managers have done a really good job with them.”

Albion have changed beyond recognition since Melton joined them at Withdean in 2000 and helped them win back-to-back divisional titles.

He had only just signed and remained unused on the subs’ bench when the Seagulls went down 2-0 at Sincil Bank with David Cameron scoring against his previous club.

The Imps have not matched Albion’s climb through the ranks but Melton is not particularly surprised.

He said: “They beat us 2-0 in about the second game of the season and we beat them 2-0 towards the end of the season.

“The two clubs were on a level playing field back then but Brighton have gone from strength to strength.

“Brighton is a bigger city. There is a lot more backing in terms of crowds and catchment area.

“Lincoln have also struggled to find funding whereas Brighton have gone on under Tony Bloom after he took over from Dick Knight.

“Brighton felt like a sleeping giant to me whereas Lincoln does not fit that category.”

Melton is aware former team mates including Paul Rogers and Paul Watson are still involved with the club.

He believes he might also see some familiar faces, all these years on, in the vicinity of Sincil Bank as Albion take a four-figure following.

The former Nottingham Forest and Hull player said: “I spoke to (former Albion striker) Lee Steele and he is thinking of coming over.

“He was trying to get tickets for the away end. Actually, I’d love to go in there too.

“They are really good fans. They used to follow us everywhere.

“There are a few I would probably still recognise, even though it was 15 years ago.”