GRIMSBY TOWN marched into the Northern Area Semi Finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after a fantastic night of cup football at Blundell Park.

The Mariners knocked out League One Doncaster Rovers on penalties after a gripping 90 minutes finished 2-2.

And even at the very end, there was great drama as Paul Bolland's saved spot kick was ordered to be retaken by referee Tony Bates.The Mariners midfielder converted at the second attempt to send his side through.

Alan Buckley made two changes to the Town side, bringing in Peter Till for the suspended Tom Newey and giving Danny North a rare start in place of the cup-tied Martin Butler.

Nick Hegarty took Newey's usual left back spot, while Till returned to his normal right-sided slot.

Rovers boss Sean O'Driscoll chose to rest some of his stars, with ex-Leeds keeper Neil Sullivan, Richie Wellens and James Hayter, who scored both goals in the 2-2 FA Cup draw at Oldham on Saturday, all on the bench.

Doncaster were backed by a huge travelling army of over 2,000, meaning two sections of the Main Stand had to be given to make sure all of the away fans could be accommodated.

The Mariners took the lead through Danny Boshell, who struck from six yards after good work on the right by Peter Till.

Rovers equalised through Lewis Guy before a bizarre own goal gave Grimsby a half time lead.

Doncaster keeper Ben Smith looked to clear a routine backpass but the wind sent the ball spinning back towards goal.Defender Matt Mills headed back towards his keeper but could only watch as it went over his head and bounced into the empty net.

It was a fortuitous way to retake the lead but few would argue that Town didn't deserve to be ahead, as they had more than matched their higher-division opponents.

After the break, Grimsby were forced to defend as wave after wave of Doncaster attacks moved towards the Osmond Stand goal.Town did their job superbly though, with Nick Fenton outstanding at the back, helped by Ryan Bennett and Jamie Clarke.

When Rovers finally did get their second equaliser, it came from the penalty spot.

Fenton was adjudged to have pushed substitute Mark McCammon and Paul Heffernan converted emphatically from twelve yards.

Town were then up against it for the remainder of the game but they held on bravely to take the tie to penalty kicks.

Phil Barnes was the hero at first, saving with his legs from Paul Green, before the next eight penalties were all converted, with Danny Boshell, Danny North, James Hunt and Nathan Jarman all finding the net for Town before Bolland stepped up for the decisive fifth penalty.

His first effort was saved as Smith dived to his right to tip the ball around the post, sending the travelling supporters wild.

But the referee intervened, ruling that the Rovers stopper was off his line.Suddenly, Grimsby had the chance to settle the tie again and when Bolland coolly scored at the second attempt, it was the Mariners who were through to the northern last four.