Shearer sees off battling Mariners

GrimsBy Mark Staniforth

Shearer required three stitches in his lip at half-time after being elbowed in a challenge with Mariners skipper Justin Whittle.

But he seized his single chance to sweep the winner past Steve Mildenhall just when it looked like the League Two side were going to take the tie into extra-time.

Newcastle had shaded a tough and mostly scrappy clash played in slippery conditions but it was harsh on the Mariners for whom Rob Jones missed two late chances to equalise.

The Mariners had every reason to fancy their chances having disposed of Tottenham in the last round and they made a bright start roared on by a 9,000 capacity crowd in a packed Blundell Park.

Michael Reddy took advantage of early hesitation in the Magpies defence to have two early chances, the second of which required Shay Given to boot clear under pressure.

But Newcastle should have taken the lead in the 17th minute when Charles N’Zogbia’s left-foot shot from just inside the box clattered the base of Mildenhall’s right-hand post.

But the home side continued to hold their own against their illustrious opponents and fashioned two Newey free-kicks which caused the visitors problems.

The Mariners ended the half in style with another dangerous attack from Calvin Andrew while Shearer left the pitch with a bloody lip complaining of the elbow to referee Mark Halsey.

The clearest chance of the second half was created by N’Zogbia in the 63rd minute when he got behind the Grimsby defence on the left and hit a cross which flashed across the face of goal in front of the stretching Chopra.

Shearer seized upon an unlucky mistake by Grimsby left-back Newey to finally give the Premiership side the lead 10 minutes from time.

Chopra nipped in on the right after Newey slipped and he squared for the front man to finish.

Jones missed two late chances when he sent a firm header just wide, then miscued a simple shot when the ball fell to him on the edge of the box.

GRIMSBY: Mildenhall, McDermott, Whittle, Robert Jones, Newey, Andrew (Parkinson 71), Kamudimba Kalala, Bolland, Cohen, Reddy, Gary Jones (Gritton 71).

NEWCASTLE: Given, Ramage, Taylor, Bramble, Babayaro, Solano (Clark 72), Faye (Brittain 72), Parker, N’Zogbia, Shearer, Chopra.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).