Grimsby Town look to progress to the Emirates FA Cup third round as they face Martin Allen’s Chesterfield in the second round on Sunday (2pm).
We take a look at the five key talking points as Michael Jolley’s side prepare to take on National League outfit Chesterfield.
Mariners eyeing third round for second time since 2004
Town have reached the third round of the Emirates FA Cup just once since 2004, with Paul Hurst’s side being knocked out by Huddersfield in round three in 2014.
Aswad Thomas scored a 90th-minute own goal as the Mariners lost 3-2 at Blundell Park, after Craig Disley and Ross Hannah and scored either side of the break.
And Michael Jolley will be hoping to take the Mariners to the third round, after the 3-1 home win over MK Dons in the first round.
Town looking to carry momentum on
Jolley’s side beat Tranmere Rovers 5-2 in Sky Bet League Two at Blundell Park on Tuesday, with Harry Clifton getting his first senior goal for the club.
And Town will be hoping to continue their good form, after three games unbeaten in the league and a win over MK Dons in the FA Cup first round.
And Jolley will be encouraged by the fact that Town had five different goalscorers midweek, as well as his side scoring 13 goals in their last five games in all competitions.
Chesterfield: One win in last 21 games
The Spireites are without a win in the National League since August 11 when they beat Braintree Town 1-0 at the Proact Stadium.
But despite their winless run in the league, they’re also nine games unbeaten – having drawn nine straight matches in the National League.
And Allen’s side picked up their first win in all competitions since August as they beat Billericay Town 3-1 in their FA Cup first round replay in November
Jolley’s first Town win
The Mariners ended their 20-game winless run in Sky Bet League Two with a 1-0 victory over Chesterfield as Mitch Rose scored a decisive 88th-minute penalty.
The victory was Michael Jolley’s first as Town boss, and provided a platform for the Mariners to build on as they ended the season five games unbeaten, finishing 18th in the league.
And Town also beat the Spireites on the opening day of the 2017-18 season as Nathan Clarke, Sam Jones, and Ben Davies bagged for the Mariners.
The Mariners are unbeaten against the Spireites in the FA Cup – drawing all three initial games and winning the three replays.
Familiar surroundings for Whitmore
Town defender Alex Whitmore goes up against his former club this weekend, having joined Jolley’s side from the Spireites in the summer.
The 23-year-old made 15 appearances for Chesterfield, scoring one goal, after signing for the Spireites on a permanent deal from Burnley in January.
The defender has made 21 appearances for Town so far this season, and is yet to score his first goal for the Mariners.
What are your predictions for Sunday’s Emirates FA Cup second round tie with Chesterfield? Tweet us @OfficialGTFC!
