Assistant manager Mark Lillis was still confident that the Shrimps could turn around the 1-0 deficit next Tuesday at Blundell Park.

He said: "If it was a one off cup tie we would be out but it isn't and it's only half time. We have got a long way to go and we are still in with a fighting chance and we will be giving it our all next week.

>> Click play above to hear Mark Lillis speaking to the press

"We will get on the coach in a positive frame of mind and all the players and the staff will go there thinking we can win this game.

"We were unlucky in this game because we played some fantastic football and had loads of chances but we missed a few from good positions and their keeper made some great saves.''

Lillis said the defining moment of the game came when Morecambe defender David Artell had a goal disallowed and Grimsby broke and scored a shock goal at the other end with a rare attack.

He said: "That was the turning point of the game without a doubt.

"We scored when we were down to 10 men with Henry McStay off the pitch getting stitched but somehow the linesman spotted a handball that the referee didn't although he was 60 yards away and they went and scored.

"But these things happen and we will have to deal with it but no-one should write us off yet.''