Padraig Amond’s superb double sent Grimsby into their second FA Trophy final in four years at the expense of Bognor Regis Town.
Having taken a one-goal advantage into the second leg at home, the Mariners won 2-1 on the day to take the tie 3-1 on aggregate.
The result means boss Paul Hurst has his shot at FA Trophy redemption, having led Grimsby to the 2013 final at Wembley only to lose on penalties to Wrexham.
Grimsby Town 2 (3) Bognor Regis Town 1 (1)
FA Trophy
Semi Final, Second Leg
Saturday 19 March
Blundell Park
By Jack Miller
Bognor Regis Town have punched above their weight in this year’s competition, but already trailing from the first leg their task looked almost impossible when Amond – on fire in his first season at Blundell Park with over 30 goals already – opened the scoring after eight minutes.
He gratefully swept home a penalty with Bognor penalised inside the area, and sent Grant Smith the wrong way.
Nathan Arnold also came close on 27 minutes, beating a couple of players before firing a low shot at goal that Smith could only parry.
But it was Bognor who came steaming back into the contest five minutes later; Dan Beck hitting a lovely strike on the volley that gave James McKeown no chance in the Mariners goal.
That meant the Rocks were only one goal from spoiling the party, and in an open second half the crowd – a massive 2,477 – were put through the wringer.
Pat Hoban looped an effort over on 53 minutes, before Amond struck the killer blow with 12 minutes remaining.
The Irishman finished coolly over the keeper after some nice link-up play with Richard Tait, who slipped him in on the edge of the six-yard box.
That secured the Mariners’ ticket to the Wembley showcase on Sunday 22 May, where they will face FC Halifax Town who beat Nantwich Town 6-4 on aggregate.
