Southend United's caretaker-manager Steve Tilson staked his claim to become the club's next full-time boss after guiding the Shrimpers into the FA Cup third round.
Southend are still searching for a manager after Steve Wignall was sacked last month and club owner Ron Martin had said Tilson was too inexperienced to get the job.
However, this comfortable 3-0 victory against Lincoln City may have changed Martin's mind after goals from Tes Bramble, Mark Gower and Jim Corbett secured a potentially lucrative match in the next round.
But Tilson insisted that avoiding relegation to the Nationwide Conference is more important than a good Cup run.
He said: "It is great getting these results but the bread and butter is the League. We have got to focus on getting us up the league table and not just winning the FA Cup matches." Southend nearly took the lead in the 28th minute but Leon Cort's header was cleared off the line by Paul Mayo. However, they did not have to wait long before Bramble put them ahead with a low effort that somehow crept past Lincoln goalkeeper Alan Marriott.
Bramble nearly gifted Lincoln a second-half equaliser when his attempted clearance fell to Gary Fletcher but his shot rebounded off the crossbar.
In the 64th minute Gower put Southend 2-0 ahead after good work on the right wing by Bramble. His deep cross was collected by Gower and he dribbled along the edge of the penalty area before firing a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Bramble was again involved in United's third goal when he set up Corbett who smashed the ball in to secure their place in Sunday's third round draw.
Acting Lincoln manager Gary Simpson said: "From the first goal onwards it was sloppy and that is not really like us.
"We have been beaten 3-0 and our keeper has not had much to do. Southend stuck their chances away and we didn't and that's very disappointing."