The showpiece final saw the Imps come up against a Shrews side flying high a league above them, Elliott Whitehouse's first-half goal ensuring Lincoln upset the odds and claimed the silverware on what was also the club's first match at Wembley. 

Following the cup win, goalkeeper Allsop spoke to afcb.co.uk about his memorable trophy-winning experience.

The cup final build-up

"Around town you could see everyone was excited," he said. "There were flags everywhere saying 'We're going to Wembley', but in terms of the team's preparation we were very much focusing on the league until the final week going into the final.

"The build-up was brilliant, the buzz around the town made it a really enjoyable experience, and one that I'll always remember." 

While Lincoln are having a successful season on their return to the EFL, Shrewsbury have eyes on the Championship after a stellar campaign under manager Paul Hurst, one which could still end in automatic promotion from League One.

Allsop explained that the underdog tag is one that very much suits his Lincoln side.

"We were expecting to win, we went into the game with the mindset similar to how Lincoln have had over the years. They've always been underdogs but have overcome a lot of obstacles," he said.

"We went into the game thinking we'd get the win but knowing others might not think that, which worked in our favour to be honest. The pressure was on them while we cold go out there playing with freedom."

Five minutes remain in the first half of the #CheckatradeTrophy Final.

It's still @LincolnCity_FC 1-0 @shrewsweb, and the Imps can thank a certain Ryan Allsop... pic.twitter.com/0GJFpgmkBr

— Checkatrade Trophy (@CheckatradeTrpy) April 8, 2018

Allsop and Imps' First time at Wembley

The match in London marked Lincoln's first game at Wembley in their 134-year history, and for 25-year-old Allsop the game was also a realisation of playing at a stadium he had only been to previously to watch games at.

"I've been to Wembley a couple of times as a fan but never played there. The Lincoln fans were unbelievable, they do have a good following and at home games we get ten thousand or more and it's always very noisy, and we have a great away following as well. We knew it would be a good turnout."

Perhaps the highlight of Allsop's day, at least during the 90 minutes, came when he spectacularly kept out Omar Beckles' header to preserve his clean sheet and Lincoln's advantage. 

Allsop talked through his moment of magic: "For the save, the corner came in and I saw quite early that he had a free header. I just stuck a hand out and managed to get a decent palm away from goal, our lads then got a couple of blocks in. It all happened so quickly but it was nice to make a save like that in a game of that magnitude.

"The clean sheet was massive, the lads defended tirelessly from the front and we pride ourselves on our hard-work ethic and being able to help each other out in defence and attack. We score a lot from set plays, the defenders chipping in with goals, while the strikers do their defensive duties as well. It's all very much a team effort."

Celebrations at Wembley

"It was a bit surreal," said Allsop. "I don't think it had sunk in for a lot of us, it definitely hadn't for me, I still don't think it has to be honest! It was a great day.

Allsop and the rest of the Lincoln squad are unlikely to have too long to celebrate the club's first Wembley win, however. Currently sitting sixth in the League Two table and still very much in the hunt from promotion, be that automatically or via a second visit to the national stadium come May. 

"Promotion is something we're very much trying to achieve. If we can't go up automatically then we'll definitely be looking to go up through the play-offs. We've got some big games coming up and we'll look forward to them."