GRIMSBY Town may well surprise everyone and get a result at Newport which will take them to Wembley.
We have to stay positive and live in hope. Football is a game of fine margins. Luck, the run of the ball, refereeing decisions, all play a part.
Had referee Horwood given a foul against Aswad Thomas rather than a foul by Aswad Thomas in the last minute on Wednesday we'd be going to South Wales at 0-0 and in a slightly more confident mood.
And yet what I saw in the play-off semi-final first leg reminded me of a game and performance I'd rather forget. The 'lump it forward and hope for the best' display at Wembley last month.
Wednesday was an anti-climax that did no justice to the magnificent support. The Blundell Park crowd created a great atmosphere despite having little to inspire them.
Yet just four days before we'd seen an attractive, passing side demolish Newport, albeit not their full strength line-up.
For once Town played a 4-5-1. They sprinkled the side with ball players and bossed the game in midfield.
Come Wednesday and it was back to the regulation 4-4-2. Outnumbered in midfield, pressed in possession at the back, the easy 'out' ball was once again the punt upfield, the usual outcome the giving away of possession. Situations of promise were wasted by poor delivery and it remains a mystery why the simple art of crossing and taking corners is proving so consistently difficult. Tactical changes in the second half gave Town more of the ball but luck went against them.
Standing out like a beacon was Liam Hearn. His control, speed and skill reminded us of what we have been missing. Pearson, Hatton, Disley and Devitt (at times) were up to par but some others seemed overawed by the occasion.
Yet Newport were no Wrexham, no Kidderminster, they were an effective, hard-working, defensive side, who actually didn't have to work that hard to nullify what was pitted against them.
They were a little fortunate to leave with a 1-0 win. If Town had taken their half-chances it could have been 1-0 to the home side.
The tie is far from over and Town may well recover and get to Wembley again. But the home of football is just that. It's a place where you need to retain possession, cherish the ball.
If Wrexham, who gave the Mariners a lesson in passing and movement, await and Town persist with their lump it 4-4-2, I fear there'll be only one outcome.
