Santiago Bueno’s 60th-minute volley winner saw Wolves end Grimsby’s FA Cup run with a 1-0 victory at Blundell Park.
Bueno flicked a left-knee volley into the net from Joao Gomes’ cross to settle a closely-fought contest on a muddy pitch, which made conditions difficult for both teams.
Wolves will now occupy ball number 12 in the fifth-round draw which is scheduled for 6:35pm GMT on Monday 16 February, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
With heavy rainfall on Humberside having left the Blundell Park pitch in a muddy state, Grimsby almost capitalised on the difficult conditions just 43 seconds into the match as Charles Vernam rifled wide across goal and missed the far-bottom right corner.
The heavy pitch condition and rainfall consequently created a 1970s vibe to the match as Tolu Arokodare chipped a 16th-minute shot over the bar for Wolves.
Amidst frantic end-to-end action of little notable clear-cut opportunities, Wolves’ Adam Armstrong drew a 34th-minute foul from Cameron McJannet yet Joao Gomes curled the subsequent set-piece onto the bar from the edge of the box, as neither team found a breakthrough goal before half time.
Wolves however nearly broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half after Harvey Rodgers’ backpass to Jackson Smith was cleared to Armstrong, who fired his shot over the bar.
Grimsby then saw a 51st-minute chance go begging as Jamie Walker volleyed a shot wide of his near-left corner after Yerson Mosquera was dispossessed.
Wolves however let their quality tell on the hour mark as Gomes broke forward up the right, and whipped a cross into the box which Bueno volleyed in off his left knee to put the Old Gold in front.
Grimsby subsequently tried to fight their way back into the tie but Wolves stood firm and almost sealed their fifth-round spot in the 82nd minute, but Arokodare fired over from Armstrong’s lay-off pass.
Wolves eventually saw the game out to secure their spot in the fifth round as they look to enjoy a cup run amidst their league struggles.
What’s Next?
Grimsby return their focus to their push for a play-off spot in League Two on Wednesday 18 February, as they host Walsall in a 7;45pm GMT kick-off.
Wolves meanwhile are also in action on that evening as they host Arsenal at 8pm in a rescheduled Premier League clash, which was brought forward from 21 March due to the Gunners’ involvement in the Carabao Cup Final.
Teams
Grimsby: Jackson Smith, Harvey Rodgers, Tyrell Warren, Cameron McJannet, Jayden Sweeney (Staunton 75′), Geza Turi, Darragh Burns (Amaluzor 83′), Jamie Walker (Green 57′), Evan Khouri, Charles Vernam (Sellars-Fleming 74′), Jaze Kabia (Cook 57′)
Substitutes: Seb Auton, Andy Cook, Kieran Green, Maldini Kacurri, Justin Amaluzor, Clarke Oduor, Tyrell Sellars-Fleming, Jude Soonsup-Bell, Reece Staunton
Wolves: Sam Johnstone, Yerson Mosquera, Santiago Bueno, Ladislav Krejci, Andre (Ricner-Bellegarde 89′), Joao Gomes, David Moller Wolfe, Matheus Mane, Jackson Tchatchoua, Adam Armstrong, Tolu Arokodare
Substitutes: Angel Gomes, Jean Ricner-Bellegarde, Daniel Bentley, Hugo Bueno, Pedro Lima, Matt Doherty, Tom Edozie, Rodrigo Gomes, Luke Rawlings
Referee – Samuel Barrott
