A controversial Keith Andrews penalty and a header from Sean O'Hanlon gave the MK Dons a 2-0 Wembley win.
Offside verdict ignored as penalty changes course of final
A controversial late penalty from Keith Andrews set the MK Dons on their way to a 2-0 victory over Grimsby in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley.
The Dons skipper kept his cool to score from the spot in the 74th minute after Nick Hegarty had barged into Danny Swailes in the penalty area.
However, referee Phil Joslin refused to consult his linesman who had flagged for offside against three Dons players in the build up to the incident.
It was the second penalty awarded by Joslin, but Grimsby's Danny Boshell saw his first half spot-kick pushed away by Willy Gueret after the Dons keeper had needlessly upended Paul Bolland.
Deserved win
Paul Ince's side went on to seal a well-deserved win when Sean O'Hanlon powered in a header from a corner.
Mariners keeper Phil Barnes made them wait for their breakthrough with a string of fine saves, including an early stop to deny winger Lloyd Dyer.
The former Blackpool keeper produced a stunning one-handed stop to keep out Dean Lewington's close-range header and held onto Jemal Johnson's 20-yard shot after he had run through three challenges.
Barnes was at his best once again at the start of the second half to parry a fierce drive from Andrews and after Colin Cameron curled a shot against a post he reacted superbly to keep out O'Hanlon's rebound.
However, Barnes could only push the ball onto the post and out to Kevin Gallen, one of three players in an offside position, and it was the veteran striker's cross which led to the crucial penalty award.
