Lincoln City's recent history is a success story like no other.

After five years of languishing in the National League, they appointed two school teachers from Essex as their next managers.

Since then they've won the National League and promotion back to the Football League. They reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy and have gone one better this campaign in the Checkatrade Trophy. They also reached the quarter finals of the FA Cup, the first non-league team to do so in 114 years.

Football is a harsh mistress though and fans must always be kept happy. What happen yesterday is old news and what is happening tomorrow is the main focus. At Sincil Bank, many fans believe they're one player short of back to back promotions and Danny Cowley's failure to land that player could hold their progress back, albeit by one season.

The Imps have just three strikers on their books, Ollie Palmer, Matt Rhead and Matt Green. Between them they've bagged 20 league goals, but playing in a 4-4-2 means there's a lack of options if plan A doesn't work.. Some have voiced concern that an injury to leading scorer Matt Green would leave the Imps desperately short up front.

It isn't a problem which has gone unnoticed by Danny Cowley. In January a late move for Simeon Akinola fell through after the paperwork wasn't submitted in time. That left fans facing six months with just three strikers, although summer arrivals such as Michael Bostwick and Harry Anderson placated the dissenting voices.

The January transfer window saw similar frustration as Danny held steadfast in only recruiting players who could add significantly to the group. As the hours ticked down and otherwise sterling window of business became tarnished somewhat by the lack of forward. Central defender James Wilson and midfielder Lee Frecklington both arrived, both having played the bulk of their careers at a higher level. However, as the window slammed shut, there was no striker.

Thus far it hasn't proven to be a significant problem. The Imps are eighth in the League and just two points from a play off spot with rivals Exeter, Coventry and Mansfield still to play.

They've lost twice in the last eighteen matches and have only failed to score in two of those eighteen games. It is play-off form without a doubt, but some quarters openly wonder what might have been achieved had another centre forward arrived in January.