Steve Cotterill's nine changes meant that only Duff and Jordan remained in the starting line-up, giving other squad members a chance to impress.

However, the new line-up went back to a tactic some blamed as part of the problem during that run last season - long ball. It led to a very poor showing from the midfield, no threat up front and the defense working over time.

A change up front early in the second half led to a much better Burnley performance with Lafferty, Akinbiyi and the 4-5-1 formation off and the 4-4-2 formation in along with Gray and Blake.

Our threat up front didn't last long and to Grimsby's credit because we couldn't get a goal, they managed to match us and when full time came it was 0-0.

Grimsby continued with the pressure into extra-time and so it was no surprise when they took the lead through Danny North.

It was no fun anymore grinning at Morecambe's win to Preston.

There was still some fight left from the Clarets in the second half of extra time and when Robbie Blake set-up Andy Gray, he did what he does best and hit the back of the net.

The relief didn't last long as when the end of extra time came, it was time for that cruel decider in football penalties.

We won 4-2 though with goals for us from Blake, Gray, Mahon and O'Connor and a save for Harley along with

Grimsby:
Barnes, Bennett, Whittle, Fenton, Newey, Till (Bore 111), Hunt (Jones 74), Bolland, Boshell, Toner, Rankin (North 58).
Subs Not Used: Clarke, Montgomery.
Booked: Barnes, Jones.
Goals: North 101.

Burnley:
Jensen, Duff, Foster, Unsworth (Harley 90), Jordan, Jones, James O'Connor, Spicer, Mahon, Akinbiyi (Gray 65), Lafferty (Blake 64).
Subs Not Used: Elliott, Berisha.
Booked: Unsworth.
Goals: Gray 108.

Att: 2,431

Ref: C Oliver (Northumberland)