But the former Chester City captain is now facing a much bigger battle as he fights to beat off throat cancer.

Jackson, who was 47 last Sunday, is currently undergoing treatment leaving his number two Iffy Onuora in charge.

"The gaffer's doing okay, although I think the side effects are really starting to kick in," said Onuora after Lincoln lost 2-1 to MK Dons on Friday night.

Lincoln City chairman Steff Wright has told Jackson, who took over the reins at Sincil Bank in November, to forget about the Imps as he takes time off to battle the killer disease.

Speaking on the day Jackson revealed he was fighting cancer, Wright said: "The club's in very good hands. We just hope we can keep banging the points on the board for Peter.

"He's now at a point where he has to face up to the reality of the treatment he's going to go through.

"Up to this point he's been able to focus very much on the football. We've agreed Peter does pass over that responsibility – and that's for his own benefit really so that he can focus on the things that are important to him, which is his health."

Jackson, who made more than 100 appearances for Chester, says he has been overwhelmed by the support and said: "The backing and support I've had from the board, the supporters, the staff and the players at this club has been outstanding and I would like to say a big thank you to everybody for making the last four months really enjoyable."

Onuora, who was a team-mate of Jackson's during their playing days at Huddersfield, said: "I've spoken to him and, even though we did not win (at MK Dons), he should be proud of the players for the performance and that should give him a lift."

Onuora was disappointed not to get something out of the game which saw
former Chester right back Carl Regan bundle the ball over the line for MK Dons' opener.

Jemal Johnson then made it 2-0 nine minutes into the second half before Ben Wright pulled a goal back for The imps four minutes later.

Onuora, who along with Jackson, has secured league football status for next season, has been quite outspoken on measures to improve discipline on the pitch.

He believes football should follow the example of rugby union and introduce sin bins.

Talking on BBC Radio Lincolnshire, he said: "I think they should copy the rugby league model right across the board, as it gives players 10 minutes to cool off.

"It's too easy at the moment to send players off."

City midfielder Scott Kerr was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle in the Easter Monday victory over Hereford and was subsequently banned for four games.

"If there's any way to punish people who step out of line but not so it spoils what should be an 11 against 11 game, then I'm all for that," added Onuora, who will look to return to winning ways at The Deva tomorrow.

His players may be safe but many of them have contracts to play for, including striker Jamie Forrester, who on his Lincolnshire Echo blog says: "Although you could say that we are pretty much secure of our league status for next season the last thing that we want is for the season to finish on a meaningless note

"We want to get as many points as possible to ensure that we finish as high as we can.

"Many of us are out of contract and professional pride plays a part so there are enough reasons for us to do well from now in."

The much-travelled Forrester should start alongside Friday's scorer Wright in attack.

At the other end of the pitch, Alan Marriott has been City's number one for five seasons and he will have centre backs Adie Moses and Lee Beevers in front of him.

Lee Ridley lines ups at left back while Paul Green could return at right back in place of Gary Croft.

Lee Frecklington is the man who makes City tick in midfield and he could be partnered by 17-year-old Martin Pembleton, who is being tipped to take Shane Clarke's place in the middle of the park.

On the wings will be Dany N'Guessan and Louis Dodds, while veteran Mark Stallard will have to settle for a place on the bench.

THE ONE TO WATCH: BEN WRIGHT

Munsterl-born Ben Wright arrived at Sincil Bank in a roundabout way.

A former Lincolnshire Schools County Cup winner, Wright returned to the county last year after a six year stint with Norwegian outfit IK Start.

He had also previously played for Viking Stavanger and scored one of the goals which helped them defeat Chelsea in the 2002/03 UEFA Cup.

Prior to his Scandanavian excursion, Wright also had spells with Kettering, Leeds United and Bristol City.

Living in Bourne prior to his move to Norway, Wright was keen on a return to England and after impressing Director of Football John Deehan while on trial at Barnet, he was back in Lincolnshire and agreeing a two-year contract and he is The Imps top scorer with 13 goals this season.