Rob Elliot has insisted that Lincoln City deserved to knock out Crawley Town in the FA Cup.

Crawley started the 2nd round clash strong and raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Jack Roles and Tola Showunmi.

However, the visitors were able to get themselves back to level before the break.

Erik Ring and Jack Moylan then scored for Lincoln twice in a minute after half-time.

Jeremy Kelly got one back for the hosts in the 82nd minute, but it was not enough to avoid exiting the cup.

Elliot admitted that he was happy with the start of his team, but the “poor goals” conceded should have been avoided.

He told club media: “I don’t think it was ever going to be an easy afternoon against probably the best team we have played.

“It started really well. We did what we wanted to do, but then we lost our way.

“They stepped on and were even more direct, we conceded poor goals which we have been trying to cut out.

“Going 2-2, we were down to the bare bones, and I can accept that a little bit.

“In the second half, I am not going to criticise these lads because they have given us everything, but I think we know that it is not acceptable for us.

“We were better when we realised we could pass over their press rather than through it.

“We go the goal but just could not go on to get the breakthrough and fair play to Lincoln I thought they deserved to win.

“They could have scored multiple times on the break so we have to look at it and use it for review and move on.”

Crawley returns to action with a trip to the capital as they take on Charlton Atheltic at the Valley.

Should Elliot’s side pick up a win, then they could extend the gap between themselves and the relegation zone to six points.