DAVE BASSETT will spend the next 48 hours considering whether to risk the managerial post at Manchester City and he will already be questioning his sanity.

City are expected to make a formal approach to the Crystal Palace manager today, and a video of this latest debacle, a thoroughly deserved trouncing against third division Lincoln, is unlikely to be part of the sweetening process.

Such is Manchester City's turmoil that they could have assembled a stronger side from those either injured or out of favour last night, but by far the most notable absentee was Kinkladze, their Georgian playmaker. A hamstring injury was the official explanation, but Kinkladze is City's most realisable asset and, if Bassett does accept the position, with little other room for manoeuvre in the transfer market he might approve of him not being Cup-tied.

Lincoln attempted to inflame their supporters with a tinny rendition of Land of Hope and Glory, but visions of world domination in the flatlands of Lincolnshire were dispelled in precisely 41 seconds as Manchester City took the lead through Uwe Rosler.

Paul Dickov looped the ball left-looted and RosIer, diving between two defenders, headed past Richardson. But such was City's general incompetence that they were behind by the interval.

Lincoln had few merits, but they gradually became more assertive and had already threatened through a Bos header, and had appealed for a penalty for a Steve Lomas hand-ball waved aside, when they equalised after half an hour.

Ainsworth's left-wing cross, met by Fleming's close-in header, had a quality the first division side had not exhibited.

Six minutes from half-time, Lincoln scored again when a Holmes header found the target. Dibble was convinced that he was fouled as two Lincoln players jostled possession after a free kick from the left. As Dibble fumbled, Holmes's header was allowed to stand.

City had not defended Fleming's long throws with any conviction and it was from this route that Lincoln scored a third three minutes into the second half. The goal was awarded to Bos as a back-header looped over Dibble and into the net, despite Lomas's attempt to clear.

City belatedly found some energy and, after an hour, Clough hit the foot of Richardson's right-hand post, only for the ball to strike the goalkeeper on the back and spin to safety.

From another long throw by Fleming, Whitney scored a fourth 11 minutes from time.