THE Cowley brothers are not everyone's cup of Darjeeling tea, but their results must be admired.

A strong referee is needed and we did not have one on Saturday. Too much was ignored, including a penalty claim by Rovers at the end of the game. The Lincoln media thought they had a lucky escape when their player handled the ball. What now? Battles-every game. Performances will take second-place to points.

A holiday gave me the chance to talk to many football fans from home and abroad and produced this view of our soccer club. Progress on-and-off the field is widely admired. Remarks by one disappointed Eastleigh fan were very revealing. He felt his big-spending club would beat us into the Football League.

Recent results have clouded that somewhat, but promotion via the play-offs is still within our grasp. It is up to the players. If they can bring the will to win of big-spending Lincoln to the game it could be within our grasp.