Grimsby Town survived one of the great FA Cup scares of the season, beating eighth-tier Stafford Rangers 3-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw in the first round at the Stan Robinson Stadium on Sunday.

Stafford, who play in the Northern Premier League Division One West, led 2-0 at half-time through Darrhyl Mason's third-minute strike and Jack Birch's goal two minutes before the break, and the home crowd of 3,113 could sense a famous upset.

League Two Grimsby hit back within two minutes in the second half, Harvey Rodgers heading home in the 74th minute before Maldini Kacurri levelled in the 76th, and the tie went to extra time at 2-2.

Mason struck again in the first minute of extra time to put Stafford ahead for a second time, only for substitute Geza David Turi to equalise in stoppage time at the end of the first period of extra time, sending the tie to a shootout.

Grimsby held their nerve from the spot, winning 3-2 to book their place in the second round and end Stafford's remarkable run. The non-league side had played eight matches since August just to reach the first round proper, their first appearance at this stage since the 2006-07 season.

It was the first competitive meeting between the two clubs, and Stafford will take pride from pushing a Football League side all the way, having twice led against opponents four tiers above them. Grimsby, meanwhile, avoided becoming the latest League Two side to fall to non-league opposition in the opening round. Full report: Energy Radio