Updated: Keith Alexander dies, aged 53

Former Lincoln City manager Keith Alexander has died at the age of 53.

Macclesfield Town confirmed this morning that the Imps legend, who was manager of the Silkmen, passed away just hours after his side's 1-0 defeat at Notts County.

Alexander's death, the cause of which is still unknown, is likely to cause shockwaves through Lincoln, as he was one of the club's most successful managers of recent times.

He led them to four consecutive play-off appearances from 2002 to 2006, reaching the final twice.

Alan Marriott, who was first-choice goalkeeper during the Imps' remarkable play-off run, led the tributes to Alexander.

"You will struggle to find anyone who has a bad word to say about Keith," said Marriott.

"People who know Keith will be aware that football is the only thing he ever wanted to do. He would go from watching a Premier League game right down to a Sunday League match - he loved football that much.

"I was really saddened to hear the news this morning. Keith got the best out of people."

Paul Mayo, another member of the Imps' team which reached the play-off final against Bournemouth in Alexander's first season, said: "He was a legend and sometimes legends are not appreciated until the are gone."

The England national team, who are due to play Egypt at Wembley in a friendly match tonight, will wear black armbands as a mark of respect for Alexander.

A Facebook group has been set up in memory of Keith Alexander, here.

More to follow.