Wednesday’s Carabao Cup run ended in a 1-0 defeat to division two Grimsby at Hillsborough this evening.

With many fans continuing their ongoing boycott of home games in protest over owner Dejphon Chansiri, there were less than 3500 Owls supporters in the ground while Grimsby brought 6000 followers to S6.

On the pitch, Henrik Pedersen continued with his ‘cup team’ of mainly academy players and, while the youngsters performed creditably, it was a case of men against boys for the majority of the match.

We failed to get a shot on target in the 90 minutes but went closest to an opening goal in the first half when Jamal Lowe fed Olaf Kobacki down the right and when his low cross found George Brown six yards out it was only a last-ditch saving tackle from Tyrell Warren that foiled the young striker.

However, Grimsby had threatened at times in the first half and their all-important goal came soon after the interval, Jaze Kabia heading home from a corner and possibly with the help of a deflection off Rio Shipston.

In a rare Wednesday threat just after the hour, Ernie Weaver headed Shipston’s free kick over the top from 10 yards and, although the introduction of Barry Bannan late on brought more creativity and snap to the midfield, there was no way back for Wednesday’s largely youthful side.

Horvath, Emery, Weaver, McGhee, Johnson (Alao 37), Fusire (Bannan 71), Shipston, Thornton (McNeill 86), Kobacki (Otegbayo 37), J. Lowe, Brown (Ugbo 71). Unused subs. Stretch, Palmer, Grainger, Onukwulu. Attendance: 9424.