Town Hold Vale to Draw

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 13/11/2011

GRIMSBY survived a second half onslaught by Port Vale to secure an FA Cup replay at Blundell Park and ensure they entered the hat for Round 2 for the first time for four years. The Mariners though had been the better team before the break, and overall probably deserved to take the game to a replay.

Manny Panther surprisingly replaced Serge Makofo in the starting line-up as Town started with an attacking 4-3-3 formation to try and address their poor away form.

Town started brightly and Panther almost scored in the opening seconds of his debut but failed to make full contact with a dangerous cross from Disley. Then L'Anson "scored" an early goal which was ruled out for a foul on the 'keeper.

Town continued to frustrate Port Vale for the opening 35 minutes, then allowed the home side more possession in the final stages of the half and it was a relief when the whistle blew for half time.

Port Vale benefited from their half time cuppa as they bossed the game after the break. Dangerman Dodds came close early in the second half but just missed the target.

McKeown then failed to hold a speculative shot and Dodds reacted first but blasted his shot wide.

Port Vale continued to dominate the game and Town had to defend in depth throughout much of the second half.

Port Vale continued to press forward and went desperately close to scoring in injury time.

Grimsby hung on to record a valuable draw and get a replay on Tuesday week. It does mean that the televised clash at Kettering has been pushed forward from the following Thursday to its original date on 26th November (but it won't be on TV!).

Port Vale: Tomlinson, Yates, McCombe, Collins, Taylor, Loft, Griffith, Roberts, Dodds, Pope, Rigg

Subs: Johnson, Morsy, Roe, Kozluk, Davis, Lloyd, Thorley

Grimsby: McKeown, Wood, Kempson, I'Anson, Townsend, Thanoj, Panther, Disley, Coulson, Hearn, Duffy

Subs: Silk, Spencer, Pearson, Green, Artus, Makofo, Elding

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