There will have been moments at Blundell Park that will have concerned Danny Röhl, particularly in a first half that was at times painfully ponderous. All is well that ends well, as the saying goes, and this tie ended very well indeed as his side got their act together with the help of a few big names to record a handsome 5-1 Carabao Cup second round win.
There were bright performances in a far more energetic second half, the cavalry of Messrs Valentin, Jamal Lowe, Windass and Bannan all providing their own injection of quality on a night that tested them. Ike Ugbo got his first start and his first goal since his return to the club, Lowe bagged his second and Callum Paterson claimed a brace. Even Pol Valentin popped up with a late goal. What was anyone worrying about?
Here are our Owls player ratings from a topsy-turvy and ultimately successful evening in Cleethorpes.
1. Pierce Charles - 7
Out confidently from his line. Overplayed once and was fouled to breath a sigh of relief, other times timed his passes off nicely. Couple of saves dealt with nicely. Solid enough and his pass to start the late goal up was a stunner. | Steve Ellis / UGC
2. Liam Palmer - 6
Skipper for the evening until Bannan's appearance on the hour, his versatility once again came in handy as he was shunted back into the six having initially started in defence. | UGC / Steve Ellis
3. Michael Ihiekwe - 7
Won an important header early doors. Yellow carded for his protestations in seeing Ugbo's penalty shout turned down. Turned once or twice in the first half as Grimsby came on the stronger but dealt with things for the main part. | UGC / Steve Ellis
4. Akin Famewo - 6
Strong defensively, you wonder if he and Ihiekwe could have moved the ball with more urgency in the first half or whether the movement in front of them wasn't crisp enough. Off late for Bernard. | UGC / Steve Ellis