Robins Sink Mariners To Reach League One

However, Cheltenham deserved their luck as they played the better football and created the clearer chances. One of those chances led to a 71st-minute spot-kick when Curtis Woodhouse felled Grant McCann in the box. McCann got up to take the kick himself but saw his weak left-footed effort easily pushed away to safety by Mildenhall.

Grimsby could not make the Robins pay for the squandered opportunity and John Ward's men were able to hold on despite a late spell of pressure. Cheltenham started the better and Steven Gillespie and Guinan both wasted good chances inside the first 10 minutes, with Mildenhall easily saving the two tame shots.

The Mariners lost their main attacking threat when Michael Reddy was forced off following a clash of heads with Craig Armstrong, who was also forced to leave the action. They recovered from the setback to enjoy their best spell of the game in the closing stages of the first half, with Robins keeper Shane Higgs called into action to push away a low shot from Gary Cohen, and Andy Parkinson and Paul Bolland both going close with shots from the edge of the box.

Grimsby were unable to keep the momentum going after the break and McCann took control of midfield for Cheltenham. However, they struggled to create chances and it was in keeping with their play that the goal arrived from a cross that rolled straight in.

McCann should have made certain of victory from the penalty spot eight minutes later, but his miss did little to dent his confidence as seconds later he attempted a wonderful chip from the edge of the area that struck the crossbar. The rebound fell to Brian Wilson but Mildenhall somehow made up the ground across his goal to keep the midfielder's effort out and the game alive.

The Mariners threw everyone forward and almost got a reward when Junior Mendes' cross was met by Gary Jones, but Higgs reacted sharply to beat the ball away and preserve Cheltenham's advantage.

The Robins should have made it two when Guinan and Kayode Odejayi broke in the closing minutes, but Odejayi was reluctant to shoot and the opportunity came to nothing. Minutes later it mattered little as the referee's whistle prompted wild celebrations from the Cheltenham camp.



Grimsby line-up :

Steve Mildenhall, Gary Croft (Ben Futcher 75), Justin Whittle, Tom Newey, Rob Jones, Curtis Woodhouse, Paul Bolland, Gary Jones, Andy Parkinson, Michael Reddy (Gary Cohen 27), Junior Mendes (Marc Goodfellow 83).

Unused substitutes :

Jean-Paul Kalala Kamudimba and Ciaran Toner.


Cheltenham line-up :

Shane Higgs, Brian Wilson, Jerry Gill, Shane Duff, Gavin Caines, Craig Armstrong (Mickey Bell 27), John Finnigan, Grant McCann, Ashley Vincent (Damian Spencer 77), Steven Gillespie (Kayode Odejayi 62), Steve Guinan.

Unused substitutes :

Scott Brown and David Bird.


Referee - Paul Taylor (Waltham Forest).

Attendance - 29,196.


Shots on target - Grimsby 5 Cheltenham 5.

Shots off target - Grimsby 7 Cheltenham 3.

Hit woodwork - Grimsby 0 Cheltenham 1.

Offsides - Grimsby 2 Cheltenham 4.

Corners - Grimsby 3 Cheltenham 5.

Free-kicks conceded - Grimsby 10 Cheltenham 10.

Missed penalty - Grant McCann 70 (C), saved by Steve Mildenhall (G).

Goals - Steve Guinan 63 (C).

Yellow cards - Damian Spencer 81 (C) and Curtis Woodhouse 84 (G).



Post-match quotes


Grimsby boss Russell Slade lamented his side's efforts early on, saying :

"We felt we had a good claim for a penalty and obviously big moments like that turn matches. To be fair we possibly did not deserve it on the day.

"Cheltenham started tremendously well but we didn't get into the game until the 30th minute and they adjusted to the nature of the pitch better than us.

"It's a hard result to swallow after being in the promotion places for so long this season. We need to have a rest and come back next year."



Cheltenham manager John Ward was understandably overjoyed with the result, commenting :

"I'm just delighted for the lads - they thoroughly deserved it. I've got sympathy for Grimsby, they are a quality side and it shows the enormity of what we have achieved that we beat them. But next season we'll be playing the likes of Nottingham Forest and Bristol City and that's just incredible. I think the lads will really relish it.

"I'm not going to make too many signings in the summer so I'll be giving them another chance to show what they can do at the next level. We're only a small club and had to make a lot of free transfers last year so it's amazing what we've achieved this season."