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Paul Bolland fired Grimsby in front with a low shot on 69 minutes – only seconds after David Artell had had a goal disallowed for the Shrimps.

But the Mariners had goalkeeper Phil Barnes to thank for their win for a string of good saves, the best being a flying stop to deny Craig Stanley with five minutes to go.

The first half saw both teams produce some attractive football, despite the fierce wind blowing across Christie Park.

The Shrimps made an excellent start and could have had two goals in the first five minutes.

Matty Blinkhorn's header was scrambled away by Grimsby keeper Phil Barnes and a minute later the striker was in on goal but Grimsby skipper Tom Newey got back to make a saving tackle.

Grimsby rallied, however, and on 26 minutes, Peter Till, despite his side being four on two, went for goal and Scott Davies could only watch as his effort hit the outside of the post.

But the Shrimps responded. Garry Thompson forced Barnes into an excellent save with an improvised left-foot volley from the edge of the box, Michael Twiss headed wide and Blinkhorn had a penalty shout waved away.

>> We've met before: Grimsby 1 Morecambe 2

The Shrimps went even closer on 33 minutes – twice. First Blinkhorn's shot was somehow turned onto the bar by Barnes and when the ball came back in, Twiss was in space but got his connection all wrong and the chance went begging.

Then, two minutes before the break, Blinkhorn flicked on a cross from Adam Yates but Carl Baker's volley was well over the bar.

Morecambe continued to press for the opening goal after the break with both wide men, Baker and Thompson, causing trouble for Grimsby down the wings.

But the Shrimps were not putting visiting keeper Barnes under pressure like in the first half, until halfway through the second period with a hectic 60 seconds.

Morecambe thought they had gone 1-0 up when, after Thompson swung over a free-kick, Artell poked home the ball – only for the goal to be disallowed for handball, a decision given by the referee's assistant.

Artell was booked for his comments to the referee but worse was to come for the Shrimps as Grimsby caught them napping.

The Morecambe defence, with Henry McStay off the pitch being treated for a bang on the nose, failed to clear the danger as sub Gary Jones slid the ball across for to Bolland to fire home from 12 yards.

Twiss went close from the edge of the box but Bolland also forced Davies into action with another good shot.

Sammy McIlroy threw on Jon Newby with 10 minutes to go but he failed to add to his three-goal tally in this season's competition.

To be fair, he had little sight of goal and the Shrimps best effort came from Stanley who was played in intelligently by Baker and he produced a rasping drive from 22 yards – only for Barnes to dive full length to save.

Thompson was also inches wide in injury-time but Grimsby could also have gone home with another goal in the locker if McStay hadn't got in a tackle on Jones at the death.

McIlroy had to do without skipper Jim Bentley who failed a pre-season fitness test on his foot injury.

Hunter came into midfield for Stewart Drummond, Michael Twiss replaced Wayne Curtis and 45-year-old goalkeeping coach Steve McIlhargey was on the bench.

The second leg is at Blundell Park next Tuesday, kick-off 7.45pm.

The winners over the two legs will play MK Dons who beat Swansea last night on penalties. The final is at Wembley on Sunday, March 30.

Morecambe: Davies, Yates, McStay, Artell, Adams, Thompson, Hunter, Stanley, Twiss (Newby 79), Baker, Blinkhorn (Curtis 89). Subs: McIlhargey, Allen, Drummond. Booked: Artell.

Grimsby: Barnes, Clarke, Newey, Bennett, Fenton, Till, Bolland, North (Jones 61), Boshel, Hegarty, Atkinson. Subs: Montgomery, Whittle, Bore, Jarman.

Referee: N S Miller.
Attendance: 3,207.