McAuley has been outstanding for the Imps since his move from Coleraine in August last year.

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Now the inevitable question that I get asked is 'Can the Imps make the play-offs?

BBC: What a difference a month has made for Lincoln City

The 36-year-old, who was capped once by England, succeeds Peter Jackson who was dismissed by the Imps at the beginning of September.

BBC: Lincoln appoint Sutton as manager

"I think we'll see a sea change in the outlook of clubs next season, " said the Imps chairman, who will celebrate a year in the post in June.

BBC: Lincoln chairman Bob Dorrian sets stall for next season

In the past, many game designers have used simple rules to govern the behaviour of the goblins, imps, aliens or soldiers that populate their software world.

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Dorrian added that, with the Imps currently 22nd in League Two, a quick appointment would give the new manager plenty of time to turn things around at Sincil Bank.

BBC: Lincoln City set timescale for appointing new manager

Names linked with the vacancy include former Southend boss Steve Tilson, ex-Darlington and Doncaster boss Dave Penney and former Imps manager Steve Thompson, who first took charge of the club 20 years ago.

BBC: Lincoln City set timescale for appointing new manager

One of a club's main streams of income is season ticket sales, but it is inextricably linked to performances on the pitch and in recent seasons the Imps have been at the wrong end of League Two.

BBC: Lincoln chairman Bob Dorrian sets stall for next season

Before Lincoln's match at Stockport, the first of the eight-game run, I was interviewed for Late Kick Off and was uncharacteristically pessimistic about the Imps' prospects for the rest of the campaign, which was upsetting and surprising to some.

BBC: What a difference a month has made for Lincoln City