By Nathan Jackson
October 31 2005

The FA Cup starts on Saturday afternoon and City face struggling MK Dons but how have City fared in this competition before? In a nutshell, not very well. City haven't made it to the 3rd Round since 1999 and haven't drawn a non-league side since 2001, but there's more to the cup than that.

The game against the MK Dons is winnable due to our recent record against League 1 teams at Sincil Bank. However, last year was a humbling experience as the Imps were soundly beaten 3-0 at eventual League One Playoff Finalists, Hartlepool United. It was the second year running that City had gone out to a 3-0 defeat, however, the 2003/4 run ended at Southend after beating Brighton 3-1 in the first round.

City's record in the competition isn't particully fantastic. The last time City made the 3rd round was in the 98/99 season when Premiership Sunderland paid a visit to Sincil Bank and went with a narrow 1-0 victory. Overall, City have played 199 matches in the FA Cup and have lost almost half of them, 93 to be precise, with just 62 wins and 44 draws. City's best ever run took them to the 5th round (via byes) where they travelled to Glasgow Rangers and the Scots beat the Imps 3-0.

Other than that singular appearance in the 5th Round, City have made the 4th Round a few times. The first back 1954 where Preston elimated the Imps 2-0 at Sincil Bank. This was the most successful period for the Imps, getting to the 3rd round in 9 years running. Their next 4th round appearance came with a 3-1 defeat at Sheffield United. The final 4th round appearance came in City's most successful season, the 1975/6 championship winning season where West Brom just edged out the Imps at the Hawthornes.

Some Random Lincoln City FA Cup Stats

The last time City were drawn against non-league opposition was back in 2000/1 when a home draw against Dagenham was reward for beating Bracknell 4-0. Dagenham won with an injury time own goal from Matthew Ghent.

City's biggest defeats in the competition have been 5-0 defeats to Stoke and Stockport.

The highest scoring FA Cup game involving the Imps was in 1930/1 when City went down 6-4 at Scarborough.

In the first 4 years City competed in the competition, they were elimated 3 times by Grimsby Town.

The teams in recent years who have elimated City, went on to face big opposition. In 1997/8, Emley elimated City before being drawn away at West Ham. In 2000/1, Dagenham were drawn at home to Charlton. In 2001/2, Orient were drawn away at Portsmouth and after beating them, Everton away. In 2002/3, Carlisle drew Scunny who in turn drew Leeds in the 3rd Round. In 2003/4, City's conquerers, Southend drew Scarborough in round 3, the yorkshire team won it and drew Chelsea at home.