West Ham assistant manager Billy McKinlay praised matchwinner Tomas Soucek after their 1-0 Carabao Cup win at Lincoln City.

Soucek struck on 70 minutes for the only goal of the game.'

McKinlay said, "It's all about getting through in the cup, and that was the objective before the game.

"It was a really difficult game in different conditions and Lincoln put up a really, really good performance and caused us some problems.

"I think the boys probably deserved the win and we had opportunities to maybe capitalise on them playing out with some possession in the final third which we should probably have done a bit better with, but we're really happy to win the tie.

"Nothing has changed from the year-dot, that you've had to come and earn the right to play.

"There were things that the gaffer emphasised before the game, that we're not just going to turn up and it was going to be a walkover.

"We knew it was going to be difficult and that the conditions were going to be tough and they were a factor in the game.

"Lincoln have had some good results in their league campaign this year, so we knew it was going to be difficult and we don't underestimate teams at our place, so we were well-prepared, it was a difficult game and we're delighted to be through.

"We've got some good deliverers and we've got people who want to go and head the ball.

"We've been pretty good at that for two or three years and we had other opportunities tonight when we probably should have developed things in the final-third and created a little bit more, so that was something we need to continue to work on.

"But a goal is a goal and we'll take it."