Micky Mellon has formula to avoid FA Cup shock

Town make the long trip to the National League side for the second-round tie aiming to dodge a slip-up on the small screen, with the game being shown live by BT Sports.

Neutrals will be backing Grimsby in a TV audience eager to see a shock, while the winners will take their earnings in the competition to more than £100,000.

Both sides receive £72,000 each from TV and £27,000 prize money goes to the victors to add to their £18,000 prize pot from the first round.

Salop boss Mellon believes if his side show the same professionalism as they did at Gainsborough in the last round, they will earn a crack at the big boys in the third round.

"We want to make sure we get all our basics right and enjoy it," said Mellon.

"I'm really big on that – enjoying it.

"It's as hard as you make it. We've got to be professional like at Gainsborough, concentrate and make sure we get most or all of that right and I'm sure we'll give a good account of ourselves."

Grimsby are two divisions and 32 places below Shrewsbury but have reeled off five straight wins and lost just once in 18 to climb to third.

"It's a fantastic achievement and we have a lot of respect for them," said Mellon.

"But we're confident. The performances are getting better in large patches of games and we'll look forward to giving a good account of ourselves." The third-round draw will be made 45 minutes before Grimsby and Town kick-off and Mellon admitted the carrot of a Premier League club will provide an extra incentive going into the game.

"It will if the winners get Man United, but we'll have to wait and see," he said.

"It's a big cup-tie because it's the opportunity of getting into the third round when the big clubs come in. So the prize is massive for both clubs."

Town will make a late decision on Larnell Cole (groin) who is a doubt after being forced to come off at half-time in the loss to Walsall.