Lee Mitchell felt his side’s 1-1 draw with Leek Town was another step in the right direction as City made it four games unbeaten in the league.

Cassie Hyde’s late equaliser denied the 10 player Imps all three points after Lucy Farrow had given them the lead early in the second half.

Mitchell said: “I think there’s loads more positives than there are negatives with that game. I was quite happy with a lot of things we did.

“The score is what it is, but I think there’s a lot to be proud of and the players took another step in the right direction. I think on reflection we’ll be more than happy and we just need to keep building on the positives.”

City came out firing in the second half with Farrow thumping home Jemima Footitt’s lovely through ball to give Mitchell’s side the advantage.

He added: “It was important to not sit back, and I thought we controlled the game for large spells, apart from the end. 

“We went 1-0 and it felt like a matter of time before we got a second because we created so many opportunities. I was happy with our response after half-time and to come out the way we did.”

City are back in league action on Sunday 28 January when they travel to Northampton Town.