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.
9. Charlie McNeill - 5
Harried, worked hard, lead the press at times. Sloppy in moments and decision making wasn't always on point. Off at half-time after a tricky outing - will have taken an awful lot from it. | SWFC / UGC
10. Olaf Kobacki - 7
Showed early promise, shimmying his way into a good crossing position. Influence faded a touch as things went on but dovetailed nicely with Johnson in moments - not least in the build-up to the third and then crossed for the fourth. | SWFC / UGC
11. Iké Ugbo - 6
Movement seemed to get slicker as the first half went on. Had a good shout for a penalty before the half-hour mark but saw it flipped the other way. Fine finish to level things up and a deft touch to allow Lowe to give them the lead. | UGC / Steve Ellis
12. Pol Valentin - 8
On at half-time in place of McNeill as Palmer was pushed into the six. Took no time to stamp some authority onto matters, driving deep into the Grimsby box and collecting an assist for Ugbo to slide home - and then a late and very rare goal. | Ellis / UGC