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AS far as cup shocks go, this was surely one of the best for Grimsby Town fans.

Today marks 18 years since the Mariners pulled off one of their greatest giant-killing acts when they stunned Liverpool at Anfield.

Phil Jevons' superb match-winning strike stole the headlines, but it was an all-round top night for the club and its supporters.

Indeed, it was simply one of the greatest nights for Grimsby Town in recent years.

From the moment the Mariners were drawn against Liverpool in the Worthington Cup, a real buzz went around the town in anticipation of playing one of the greatest names in club football at one of the game’s most famous grounds.

Town were already on a real high early in the 2001/02 season. Lennie Lawrence had taken his side to the top of Division One – albeit for a single day – and the players were producing exciting football.

Phil Jevons and Jonny Rowan had struck up a good partnership, and the side was bolstered by quality loan men like Blackburn’s Marlon Broomes and Newcastle’s David Beharall.

While there was much attention on Town’s league exploits, the interest in the Liverpool tie dwarfed all expectations.

More than 7,000 fans made the journey west in the slight hope of seeing a great upset.

Liverpool went into the match as Worthington Cup holders, as well as proud possessors of the UEFA Cup, FA Cup, Charity Shield and European Super Cup.

And even with a few big players rested, the likes of Jari Litmanen, Emile Heskey, Danny Murphy, Gary McAllisiter and Sammi Hyypia featured in the Reds’ squad.

There was a great atmosphere inside Anfield from the outset, with the hoards of Town fans producing a wall of sound.

The game itself was a tight and tense affair, with Town battling for every ball.

Ben Chapman and Alan Pouton snapped away at the home side’s creative midfielders, while Danny Butterfield and Stuart Campbell did their best to release the frontmen.

Liverpool looked dangerous from set-pieces, with McAllister whipping in some well-taken free-kicks, while Litmanen was full of running.

The longer the game went on without a Reds goal, the more the Town players – and the fans – believed the miracle might actually happen.

The absorbing but nerve-jangling match went into extra-time, with Mariners supporters now keeping their fingers crossed for a penalty shoot-out as Liverpool piled forward.

It seemed that the dream had been shattered when Gerrard Houllier’s side were awarded a spot-kick in the 101st minute.

McAllister converted, and all hopes of a monumental upset had surely been destroyed.

But the Mariners continued to fight, and Broomes silenced the Kop with a close-range strike seven minutes from time.

It had been a fantastic game, but nothing could prepare the fans for what was to come.

In the very last minute of the game, Scouser Phil Jevons picked the ball up wide on the right.

There appeared to be little danger as he cut in, 30 yards from goal. But 'Jevvo' looked up and smashed a brilliant shot past Chris Kirkland into the top corner.

It capped an unforgettable night, and one which forced the football world to stand up and take notice of Grimsby Town.

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