Nicky Law slams Alfreton Town players after FA Cup exit at Lincoln

The Reds had striker Karl Hawley red-carded and were forced to play midfielder Anthony Howell in goal following a crisis between the posts ahead of the game.

But, despite that, furious Law said his players needed to toughen up and dramatically improve.

“If I am honest, we went to Lincoln with a problem of having no goalkeeper, but when you come away having been beaten 5-1 and not having the excuse that it was your goalkeeper’s fault, there is something badly wrong,” said Law.

“We didn’t turn up, didn’t fancy it, never got near anything. It was not just the lack of desire to want to win, there was no desire to go and get on the ball and pass it.

“Give Lincoln their due, they were the better team on the night, we have no complaints, but, without being disrespectful, we have made them look better than they are. We were totally inept and things have got to change.

“Anthony Howell did well in goal, he was probably our best player. He kicked well, came and punched a few and could do nothing about the goals. It was nothing he did, it was the ten in front of him.

“We spoke of the importance of not giving silly free kicks away. The one for the first goal was 20 yards out, the second goal was another free kick in a good area for them, the third goal was a penalty and for the fourth, we put a free kick into their box and ended up conceding from it.

“I can’t defend what’s not defendable and I cannot defend that performance.

“Don’t get me wrong, we are struggling, but we have got to face up to facts that at the minute we are not good enough. Everyone can be better and everyone has got to man up.

“That tonight was not good enough and we can’t perform one game in four. We have got to do something about it, we will either sink or swim and I am certainly not going to sink

“Supporters have come and paid good money to come and support us but seen the team go down 5-1, if you go down, go down with a fight. There wasn’t much of it tonight.”

Law is planning a clear the air meeting at training on Thursday ahead of a return to Vanarama Conference action with an important game at Altrincham on Saturday.

“I have not said much after the game tonight because it was the wrong time to say it.

“We will have a clear the air meeting on Thursday and people will have to know what is expected from them because at the minute we are not getting it” ended the Reds boss.