Lincoln City boss explains what went wrong against Chesterfield in cup tie

Paul Cook’s son, Connor, scored the winner early after the break, on his first start for the club in the Blues’ second group game of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy at Sincil Bank on Tuesday night.

The League One Imps made seven changes from their 1-0 victory at Stevenage on Saturday but Town made nine swaps themselves, including giving opportunities to youths Cook and Ali Mohiuddin.

Skubala said: "We had enough on the pitch to win the game. They (Chesterfield) came with not the strongest team either so we should have done better really.”

Lincoln edged the first-half without creating lots of chances but Chesterfield took their moment in the second 45 and defended resolutely to secure a 1-0 win.

Skubala continued: "I thought in the first half we played well, putting the ball into the box, making them defend, and getting around their sides. We were effective and moved the ball through them very quickly.

"In the second half, we didn't look like ourselves. We had some possession but didn't put them under enough pressure. It felt like the game against Harrogate (in the Carabao Cup), where we were caught on the counter-attack and ended up chasing, which made us lose our identity and the way we want to play.

"Sometimes that's the nature of having changes and new players out there, as it can disrupt the rhythm a little bit. We didn't return to the levels we reached in the first half. We should have been more ruthless then, and in the second half, we didn't show any of that."

He added: "We have a lot of work to do in that regard, especially when we don't score; we need to stay focused. We must ensure we continue working on our composure and decision-making in the final third."

Chesterfield return to league action on Saturday at home to Grimsby Town.