JIM Harvey urged his Altrincham players to use their FA Cup run as a platform for National League North safety after they gave Lincoln City a first-round scare on Saturday.

After going 2-0 up, in-form Lincoln were reduced to running down the clock in the closing minutes, as Alty hit back with a goal from John Cyrus and went in search of an equaliser.

With the focus returning to an increasingly urgent quest for league points against Salford City at The J.Davidson Stadium on Saturday, Harvey had a clear message for his side.

"We finished very much in the ascendancy, which is a plus, because that is the sort of attitude, commitment and drive we need, if we are to pick up points in our league," said the Alty boss.

"What we will build on now is that second-half performance and take that forward into the league.

"There are one or two individuals who will need to do better, but it is a team game, and collectively we have come out on top of average.

"It's something we can look to grab hold of – that spirit, drive and commitment, allied to our football – and make sure we take it forward.

"There is a standard and yardstick for us now, and we have to maintain that.

"That is the level we expect to take into every game."

New signings Curtis Obeng and Simon Lenighan both made their debuts, and there could be more arrivals in the near future.

"I'm always looking and will continue to until we get to winning games and the level required," he said.

"If people are not performing, I will have to look for ways of making us better.

"I'm talking to one or two, so there could be more changes.

"From that point of view, chairman Grahame Rowley has been terrific.

"He has really supported me, and I have got to be thankful for that, because it has given us the opportunity to do something about the situation we are in by looking to improve the squad."