Southampton pay penalty as Grimsby inflict one of the great FA Cup shocks

Chairman Jason Stockwood had dared supporters to dream as Grimsby attempted to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 1939. But not even the most diehard of the more than 4,000 Grimbarians that made the 460-mile round trip to the south coast to see two penalties from Gavan Holohan seal a monumental upset over Southampton could have believed this fairytale.

Accompanied by hundreds of Harry Haddocks – the inflatable mascot that has been present at every big game in the club’s history since they played Wimbledon at this stage of the 1989 competition – the away supporters made it a party atmosphere throughout, even after Duje Ćaleta-Car pulled a goal back midway through the second half.

But despite being the lowest-ranked side left in the Cup and with 65 places separating the clubs in the league pyramid, they prevailed in a thrilling tie after substitute Theo Walcott’s equaliser was ruled out for offside by VAR late on.

Southampton had initially tried to stop visiting supporters from bringing their famous mascot because Premier League grounds usually have a blanket ban on inflatables. But after criticism from some Grimsby fans that they should have bigger fish to fry given their struggles against relegation, the hosts relented and Harry Haddock seemed to be everywhere in the packed away end.

The number of empty seats around the rest of the stadium was in marked contrast as Southampton fans perhaps opted to watch on television instead, with Rubén Sellés making nine changes to the side that lost so tamely to Leeds on Saturday.

National League playoff winners at Wembley last season, Grimsby are struggling down in the lower reaches of League Two but had beaten three League One teams – including