Saturday, January 8th 1949.

GRIMSBY TOWN 2
(Whitfield, Cairns)

EXETER CITY 1 (Regan)

Half-time Grimsby Town 1 Exeter City 1.
The F.A. Cup 3rd round, attendance 18,000.

Briggs, the much-feared Grimsby leader, had an undistinguished game against the City at Blundell Park, but he did one good thing, and it led to the first goal. The former Plymouth Argyle player burst down the middle ten minutes after the start, beat Walker for the only time, and shot hard and low to Hoyle's left. The City goalkeeper made a one-handed deflection but the ball ran to Whitfield, who scored.

GRIMSBY: Chisholm Moody Fisher McKenna Sibley Forrest McStay Whitfield Briggs Cairns Lloyd

EXETER CITY: Hoyle Johnstone Clark
Bartholomew Walker Fallon Dymond Smart Smith Harrower Regan

Exeter's equalising goal, shortly before the interval, was a gift, Regan snapping up a loose ball to round the goalkeeper and kick into an empty net. Equally fortituous was Grimsby's winning goal a minute after the restart. A rapid City advance ended when Bartholomew stubled. Defence by Grimsby was turned into attack instantly when McKenna kicked up field to the unmarked Lloyd, who made ground and centred. The shot was deflected, the rebound went to Cairns, and he made no mistake from eight yards. Exeter City although beaten were the cleverer side and unfortunate to lose. A draw would have been a fairer result. Mr Russell, of Leeds, was the referee.

Southern League 
Exeter City Reserves 4 (Cutting 3, Hutchings)
Worcester City 3.

The three goals scored by Stan Cutting were all from penalty kicks.