Lincoln City boss Danny Cowley can’t wait to pit his wits against Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy when the two sides meet in an FA Cup Third Round tie at Portman Road in the New Year.

The high-flying National League club beat Oldham 3-2 on Monday night at Sincil Bank, in a second round clash, to stretch their unbeaten run to 15 in all competitions, setting up the tie with Town.

Since taking over at Lincoln, Cowley, who was Braintree boss last season, and his assistant, brother Nick, have taken the Imps on an incredible run – after losing two of their first four matches.

While Lincoln regaining their Football League status is paramount to the Cowleys, a trip to Portman Road in the Cup is being eyed up with glee.

“It’s a great draw for us,” Danny Cowley said.

“Both Nick and I have family who are Ipswich fans. I’m a West Ham fan but I remember games at Portman Road, many on Boxing Day against the Hammers.

“Ipswich are a massive club and in Mick McCarthy, they have an excellent manager. It will be great to pit our wits against a boss like him.

“We both have massive respect for Mick. He’s forgotten more than we know.”

Not that the Cowleys and Lincoln will be coming to Portman Road to have their tummies tickled by Town. They are a serious footballing unit and crowds are flocking back to Sincil Bank.

“Our fans are incredible,” Cowley added.

“We had 7,000 for the clash with Oldham on Sunday and we took 1,000 to York recently

“We’re under no illusions about the task we face at Ipswich, but we can park it at the moment and concentrate on our league form.

“I want us to go to Ipswich and give a good account of ourselves, that’s most important.”

The Cowleys have come a long way since their early days of managing non-league Concord Rangers to three promotions. Last season they helped Braintree to the semi-finals of the National League play-offs, before the call from Lincoln came.