GRIMSBY 1 (Akpa Akpro 5), UNITED 1 (Becchio 50)

Grimsby: Colgan, Stockdale, Widdowson, Bennett, Atkinson, Boshell, Sweeney, Hegarty, Forbes, Conlon, Akpa Akpro. Subs: Overton, Bore, Heywood, Linwood, Jarman, Leary, Jones, Arnold, Proudlock, North.

United: Ankergren (Martin 71), Hughes, Michalik (Marques 46), Baudry (Lees 79), Parker, Snodgrass (Elliott 82), Delph, Howson, Robinson, Becchio, Grella (White 72). Subs:

Referee: C Boyeson

Att: 3416 (714 Leeds)

You can see extended highlights and reaction on Wednesday on LUTV...

United manager Simon Grayson took the opportunity to take a look at Troyes defender Mathieu Baudry as he fielded another strong pre-season at Blundell Park. The remainder of his squad were at Wealdstone for a friendly which was part of the deal which brought Jermaine Beckford to the club in 2006. Unsurprisingly, the striker was among the faces on show against his former club.

The manager had favoured the Grimsby game, though, and he saw Casper Ankergren picking the ball out of his net inside the opening five minutes. Danny Boshell supplied a cross from the left, Lubo Michalik missed the opportuinity to clear, and Jean Louis Akpa Akpro converted from close range to give Grimsby the lead.

Leeds tested Grimsby goalkeeper Nick Colgan moments later when Jonny Howson made the keeper stretch for a header from a Robert Snodgrass free-kick.

But Akpa Akpro looked a threat for the home side and he screwed a shot wide in the 12th minute after showing good strength to force an opening. Moments later, Nick Hegarty lifted a shot over the top as the Mariners started with the bit between their teeth.

The home side continued to press and on 20 minutes former United midfielder Peter Sweeny hit the underside of the bar with a free-kick.

Having dominated the opening period of the earlier pre-season games so far this summer, United failed to find their feet in similar fashion at Grimsby and it was the hosts who had another great opportunity shortly after the half-hour when Barry Conlon somehow headed over the bar from close range.

United started to look better on the ball during the closing stages and Snodgrass and Mike Grella were both involved when Andy Robinson forced Colgan into making a save.

With just five substitutes available, Grayson made only one change at half-time, Rui Marques replacing Michalik at the back.

United went on the attack immediately, Snodgrass going close, but Grimsby replied immediately and Hegarty came within a whisker of adding a second, following a quiick break.

It was Leeds who restored parity on 50 minutes, though. Pressure from Grella forced a hurried clearance by Grimsby substitute's goalkeeper Leigh Overton and Luciano Becchio capitalised with a clinical finish.

The goal gave United lift and within minutes Andrew Hughes had gone close with a free-kick and Andy Robinson skimmed the wrong side of the woodwork after cutting in from the left.

Leeds were looking a different side in the second period and both Robinson and Snodgrass went close before the hour-mark.

Grella was next to try his luck on 61 minutes when he forced Overton into making a good low save and moments later Robinson curled a free-kick wide of the mark.

With 20 minutes remaining, Robinson tried his luck from another free-kick which was half-cleared and Jonny Howson's follow-up was blocked.

As the game entered its closing stages, Grayson made further alterations including replacing French trialist Baudry with Tom Lees. The Frenchman, sporting a bandage from a bloodied head, received a warm ovation from the travelling fans as he left the field.

Alan Martin was also handed a run-out and he could only watch as Akpa Akpro nudged an effort just wide of the mark.

But it was Leeds who almost bagged a winner with three minutes to go when Becchio showed great skill to work an opening on the edge of the box before rattling the underside of the bar with a powerful strike which bounced out to safety.

And that proved to be the last action of the game as honours ended even with a 1-1 draw.