WORCESTER City’s FA Cup adventure is over for another season after their dream of reaching the first round proper was dashed by in a 3-0 defeat by Lincoln City.

The Imps were too strong for the Skrill North club at Sincil Bank with two Ben Tomlinson strikes and another from Bohan Dixon sealing victory in last night’s fourth qualifying round replay and a date against Plymouth Argyle.

After drawing 1-1 at Aggborough on Saturday, it was always going to be a tough task for Carl Heeley’s side against their full-time opponents, and so it proved.

They kept going until the end but only had substitute Reece Hales’ stoppage-time shot, which was tipped over by Paul Farman, to show for their efforts.

Lincoln, who claimed £12,500 in prize money, had early opportunities with Alan Power forcing Jose Veiga to tip a drive over.

They also saw Conner Robinson replaced by Nick Wright after just eight minutes following a strong challenge from George Williams, who was booked.

It was Worcester, giving a debut to centre-half Sam Smith in place of Shabir Khan, who found themselves doing the majority of the defending but their organisation gave Lincoln few outlets.

However, the Imps eventually broke through in the 31st minute.

Tomlinson beat his marker to Todd Jordan’s cross from the right and the striker flicked home his sixth goal of the season off the underside of the bar.

Daniel Nti was replaced by Aaron Williams after 39 minutes but that did little to improve the visitors’ attacking fortunes. Indeed, their only effort of the half fell to Danny Glover following Farman’s poor clearance but the striker could only find the seats behind the goal.

Things got worse for the visitors a minute before the break when Tomlinson met Sean Newton’s left-wing cross and steered his header beyond the dive of Veiga.

Tomlinson had a great chance for his hat-trick three minutes after the break but Veiga did enough to get a touch on the ball and force the player wide.

Unperturbed, Worcester began to see more of the ball and enjoyed their best spell of the game, although they were unable to register a shot on target.

But Lincoln dealt with the threat and responded by making the game safe in the 65th minute in fine style.

Newton sent over the ball from the left and Dixon despatched it past Veiga on the half volley.

City sent on strikers Hales and Ethan Moore, for Glover and Smith, in a last throw of the dice with 21 minutes left and Hales finally worked Farman in stoppage time.

Worcester City: Veiga 7, G Williams 6, Deeney 6, Thorley 7, Hutchison 7, S Smith 6, (Hales 69, 7), Thompson 6, Taundry 8* Nti 6 (A Williams 39, 6), Glover 6 (Moore 69, 6), Nelson-Addy 6. Subs not used: Khan, Lemon, J Smith, Sargeant.

Attendance: 1,344 (45 from Worcester).