IAN PEARCE pulled no punches on Lincoln City's dismal start to the season by insisting he was "not deluded" by the problems undermining the squad.

The Imps slumped to their third successive defeat in the space of a week on Saturday as Torquay United strolled to a 2-0 victory at Sincil Bank.

Despite controlling the opening 25 minutes, City were undone by a set-piece with the vertically-challenged Elliot Benyon heading in Kevin Nicholson's free-kick.

The in-form striker then wrapped up the points after the break when he converted Chris Zebroski's cross to leave the Imps at the bottom of League Two.

A chorus of boos punctured the final whistle and assistant boss Pearce, who stepped in for manager Chris Sutton to do the post-match press conference, understood the frustration that engulfed Sincil Bank.

"It was a very frustrating afternoon, and we are certainly not deluded," he said.

"We are fully aware of the standards and what is expected, but unfortunately we are not achieving it at the moment.

"We cannot go on conceding goals from set-pieces.

"We need to tighten up and it's not as if we are not practising it.

"But ultimately it's an element that has to be erased from our game.

"Otherwise we will end up chasing every game we play.

"At least we have the players who can hurt defences, so it's going to take more hard work on the defensive side to put it right."