MORECAMBE boss Sammy McIlroy praised his injury-hit side after they moved into the second round of the FA Cup with victory over fellow League 2 strugglers Grimsby.

McIlroy, who had 20 players unavailable for the tie was a happy man after seeing teenage striker Aaron Taylor win the game with two goals.

He said: "I have never known injury problems like this. I could only name five substitutes instead of the allowed seven and two of them weren't even fit.

"But the lads showed tremendous spirit and commitment and I thought they thoroughly deserved the win.''

McIlroy also praised youngster Taylor saying: "If everyone was fit he probably wouldn't have played today because I was looking to rest him. He's played a lot of games for us recently and we are trying to bring him in gradually but he is a born goalscorer and I am really pleased for him.'

Mariners' boss Mike Newell was clearly unhappy saying: "There are players who are not performing and haven't been performing for some time and my job is to do something about that and that's what I will do.

"We only started playing today when we went a goal behind and although there second goal clearly came after a foul we know we have to do much better.''