GRIMSBY Town pulled off one of the shocks of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Second Round as they dumped out League One outfit Hartlepool United 2-0 at Victoria Park thanks to first half strikes by Peter Sweeney and Adam Proudlock.

It was a happy return to one of his old stomping grounds for manager Mike Newell and even the late dismissal of Danny Boshell for a second bookable offence couldn't dampen the spirits of the 63 Mariners' fans who had made the trip north.

Newell had promised changes and he delivered with Ryan Bennett dropping back into the heart of the defence for the injured Paul Linwood, Boshell taking the skipper's place in centre midfield. The wing berths were occupied by Adrian Forbes and young Josh Fuller, whilst there was a welcome return for Nathan Jarman up front. The ex-Barnsley man had been on the sidelines since pre-season with a foot injury.

The hosts named a side packed with experience - ex-Sheffield Wednesday boss Chris Turner putting faith in former Owls Steve Haslam and Richie Humphreys. Former Town target Andy Monkhouse would look to create from the left wing and he had the perfect target in giant Icelandic striker Armann Bjornsson.

Once the game settled down the Mariners took the lead. Just five minutes were on the clock when Forbes was bundled over 25 yards from goal. Boshell took the free kick quickly and was booked for his efforts by North East official Nigel Miller. The referee ordered a retake and from the kick, the in-form Sweeney curled an effort around the wall and into the top corner to give Town the advantage. The strike was the ex-Leeds midfielder's fourth of the season and means he tops the Blundell Park scoring charts.

United look to veteran Humphreys to drag them back into the game and he soon began to spray the ball around the lush Victoria Park surface. Monkhouse was the first man to try his luck for the home side but he placed his shot wide of Nick Colgan's goal. The Irish stopper then had to be alert to tip Jonny Rowell's dangerous cross over his crossbar. Colgan was at it again minutes later, this time denying Rowell with a fine one-handed save after the Hartlepool man shot through a crowded penalty area.

Sweeney became the second Town player to be booked on the half hour, this time for a rash challenge on Gary Liddle. There was a further blow for the Mariners moments later when Fuller was forced off to be replaced by Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro. The Ivorian took his customary position up front with Forbes moving to the right wing.

From their next attack the visitors doubled their lead. Monkhouse went down on the edge of the area looking for a free kick but referee Miller waved play-on. The ball was picked up by Boshell in the centre of the park and he threaded a pass through to Proudlock who raced away to clip over goalkeeper Scott Flinders and into the goal with a neat finish.

Turner's men were desperate to get a foot back in the game before the break but Monkhouse was denied by a last-ditch challenge from the covering Forbes on 41 minutes. Colgan was then forced into a hurried clearance as Rowell looked to pounce but, as injury time approached, it was Town who nearly added to their lead.

Superb play on the left by Proudlock saw the front man clip a ball into the path of Forbes but his spectacular effort whistled just wide of Flinders' far post and the Mariners had to settle for a 2-0 lead at the break.

HT: Hartlepool United 0 The Mariners 2

The hosts came out for the second half looking for a goal that would drag them back into the game but again they found Colgan in inspired form. This time it was Leon McSweeny who saw his effort smothered by the former Sunderland custodian.

Town were looking menacing on the break and ten minutes into the half they forged a great opening; Forbes and Proudlock combined to release Jarman but he saw his goalbound effort deflected for a corner. From Sweeney's set piece, Akpa Akpro headed straight at Flinders.

Turner threw on his big guns with 30 minutes remaining; strike duo Adam Boyd and Denis Behan being charged with dragging 'Pools back into the cup tie. The former had an immediate impact. With his first touch he unleashed a thunderbolt of an effort that Colgan did well to tip onto the crossbar and out for a corner. Behan then had a great chance with 15 minutes remaining. Played in by Monkhouse, the Irish striker did everything right, controlling the ball and picking his spot, but he pulled the ball wide of Colgan's goal.

At the other end, Boshell saw a free kick charged down as the Mariners looked to see out the game in style. Manager Newell then made his second change, bringing Jamie Clarke on in place of Jarman and putting another body in midfield.

Boshell's night ended prematurely on 81 minutes and he was left to rue his early booking for taking a free kick too quickly. The ex-Stockport midfielder hauled down big Behan on the edge of the area and was shown a second yellow card by referee Miller. Fortunately for Town the resulting free kick was wasted by the home side.

Town responded by bringing Michael Leary on for Proudlock and leaving just Forbes up top and that was enough to see out the match and book their progress into the Quarter-Final stage.