MATCHWINNER Rob Duffy admitted Grimsby Town were below the high standards they have set in recent weeks but he was delighted to make it through to the FA Trophy Quarter-Finals with a 2-1 win at Bath City.

Duffy came off the bench late on to net the winner ten minutes from time to send Town through to a home last-eight tie against either York City or Ebbsfleet United.

And after conceding a penalty in the 2-2 league draw at Twerton Park in November, it was a sweet moment for the Welshman.

He said: "We all admit we weren't at our best but we got through and that's the sign of a good team that wins when they are not playing well.

"It's nice for me to come on and score – especially after the penalty incident when we dropped two league points at Bath earlier in the season."

Town started quickly but failed to take chances and went behind when a deflected shot from loan signing Chris Shephard beat James McKeown on 34 minutes.

After half-time, in sub-zero temperatures, Town warmed the hearts of their 82 travelling fans when Anthony Elding headed home Frankie Artus' free-kick to mark his new contract with a goal.

And Duffy, pictured, came off the bench to meet Artus' left-wing cross, touched by Elding, to fire home the winner and make it just one defeat in 21 games for Town.

Joint boss Paul Hurst added: "The main thing was to get through and we have managed to do that.

"I am delighted that we had a game because it seems a long time since we had one. We were a little bit rusty but we won and we are now in the quarter-finals."

FA Trophy Report: Bath City 1 Grimsby Town 2