Dorrian has been Lincoln chairman since June 2010

Chairman Bob Dorrian says Lincoln City must find ways to make financial cuts following their relegation from League Two to the Blue Square Bet Premier.

The Imps' 3-0 home defeat by Aldershot saw them finish 23rd in League Two.

But Dorrian stressed that the playing budget at Sincil Bank would be affected as little as possible by the cuts.

He told BBC Lincolnshire: "We have to look at other areas where we can prune and cut costs so we can give the manager as much money as we can."

Dorrian added: "What is important is that we retain as big a playing budget as we can. That is the way we're going to go now."

But he said the board would ensure they had more control over the playing budget, after the signings under previous boss Chris Sutton left manager Steve Tilson's finances limited in the second half of the season.

I think we'll struggle to get out first time, there are a lot of big clubs in there Lincoln City chairman Bob Dorrian

"Traditionally the board have handed the manager a budget to work with for the season," he said.

"Chris Sutton came along, a rookie manager, and I think in hindsight he shouldn't have been handed the amount of money he was given and we should have taken more of a role in the recruitment of players."

Lincoln's board of directors are to meet on Tuesday to discuss their plan of action as they prepare for life in non-league.

But Dorrian felt an immediate return to the Football League, as the Imps had done when they were relegated in 1987, would be unlikely.

"I think we'll struggle to get out first time, there are a lot of big clubs in there and only two spaces available for promotion," he said.

"It's going to be difficult to bounce straight back but I certainly think we're capable of bouncing back in the second or third season."

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