Darren Dye admitted there were mixed feelings in the Lincoln United dressing room following their 3-3 draw with league leaders Grantham Town after the Whites conceded another late equaliser.

Big-spending Grantham had won six matches on the bounce before Saturday's derby with United, who have won just once in their last 12 games.

But the Ashby Avenue side competed well with the Manchester City of the Evo-Stik League Division One (South) and came away with a hard-earned point.

"Although we were disappointed not to have won the game with them scoring so late, we were also very proud of the lads in the way they went about their jobs," said assistant boss Dye.

"So there were mixed feelings, and that's what we spoke about. But we were immensely proud because when we were under pressure we never caved in, we kept on going and that saw us through to gain a valuable point."

Dye revealed how he and the rest of the United players and staff were left dumbfounded at the amount of added time the referee allowed, as well as disappointed at some of the Gingerbreads' mischievous tactics.

"While we were winning there was a multi-ball system," he said.

"Every time the ball went out they were chucking another ball in which is against the rules. Another thing that is supposed to be a rule is putting a board up to indicate how much stoppage time there is.

"The referee is supposed to indicate to the linesman how much there will be, but there was no signal and there was no board put up to tell me, the players and the crowd how long there was going to be added on.

"So there was a bit of confusion there and it was a bit disappointing to end like that."

Despite conceding a 95th-minute penalty, Dye believes the Whites have gained confidence from the result and can take that forward into the rest of the campaign.

"I think that result will give us great confidence," he said.

"We've gone to Grantham – who are the model for everybody and a strong outfit all over – and we've run them close.

"We had three of our key players unavailable too with Jack Cotton, Jack McGovern and Liam Bull out, but we did brilliantly.

"If we can perform like that we'll climb the league. Our only problem is consistency."