Brighton snuff out Grimsby’s dream on a day brimming with FA Cup charm | Barney Ronay

Roberto De Zerbi has made such an impact that Brighton were never likely to lose but Grimsby deserve their admirers too

At times during this relentlessly entertaining FA Cup quarter-final it was hard to avoid the feeling that the ambient levels of wholesomeness inside the Amex Stadium might just be reaching a potentially dangerous high, the counters starting to fizz and burp.

This was an occasion so polite even the half-time entertainment was a deeply moving presentation from the life‑saving stadium medical team, followed by a mascot race, a kids’ race and then a succession of Mother’s Day announcements so heartfelt you half-expected the match officials to come running out for the second half holding a cake and flowers.