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Grimsby Town boss David Artell has heaped more embarrassment on Manchester United by insisting his side should not have needed penalties to win their Carabao Cup tie. Artell’s Mariners became the first fourth-tier side ever to beat United in a competitive match following a 2-2 draw at Blundell Park.

The hosts deservedly led the tie at the break through goals from Charles Vernam and United youth product Tyrell Warren. Goalkeeper Andre Onana should have done better for the first goal and was embarrassed for the second before United fought back to level thanks to substitute Bryan Mbeumo’s strike and a late Harry Maguire header.

Matheus Cunha wasted the chance to win the shootout after Onana had denied Clarke Oduor, with Mbeumo eventually sending his second effort off the crossbar in a 12-11 loss. At 1-0 and 2-0 up, Grimsby had goals disallowed, the first for handball and the second following a contentious offside call.

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While jubilant to have masterminded a historic night for the Lincolnshire club, Artell insisted he was annoyed penalties were required. The former Gibraltar international told Sky Sports: “We’ve had two goals disallowed and missed an absolute sitter to make it 3-0.

“The disappointing thing, and I’m not trying to be… I don’t know what the word is, certainly not live on air! We should have won in 90 minutes, that’s the kicker for me. It shouldn’t have gone to the most ridiculous penalty shootout of my whole career. It shouldn’t have taken that to get over the line.”

However, it didn’t take the gloss off one of the most significant results in the club’s history. Artell added: “It’s a magnificent night for the club and players. I hope it lives long in the memory.”

Having gone so close to winning in normal time, Artell was asked what he said to his players before the shootout. He said: “I asked them, what is a penalty shootout? Just one question. A technical challenge, a psychological challenge, that’s it.

“No tactics, no physical stuff. You’re going to feel nervous, you’re going to have butterflies, sweaty palms. That is absolutely normal, it’s a human thing, so don’t worry about that.

“Then it’s a technical thing. Onana’s save from the one penalty we missed was an outstanding save. They backed themselves to be good technically, no pressure on them. There was no pressure on them before the game.

“The only thing we could have lost was a bit of pride if we’d got whalloped by an unbelievably good team. Make no bones about it, they’ve got an unbelievably good team.”

Grimsby’s reward is a third round trip to crisis club Sheffield Wednesday next month. For now, the Mariners’ focus returns to League Two and their home clash with Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

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