Sheffield Wednesday's reserves lost 2-1 to Grimsby Town in the totesportcasino.com League Cup on Tuesday afternoon at Stocksbridge despite a first half strike from Francis Jeffers.

The Owls fielded a relatively senior team with Deon Burton and Jeffers leading the attack. Jimmy Smith returned from suspension in the midfield alongside Lewis Buxton, Kenny Lunt and Rocky Lekaj.

Frank Simek also featured at right back alongside three academy defenders in front of young pro Richard O'Donnell in goal.

Wednesday found themselves 2-0 down within quarter of an hour with Grimsby striker Danny North netting a penalty after he was fouled by Richard O'Donnell in the fifth minute. North then doubled the visitors' advantage ten minutes later.

The Owls started to work their way back into the match and the attack-minded line-up started to give the Mariners difficulties at the back.

Rocky Lekaj could have scored just after the half-hour mark when he directed a far post header off target from Lewis Buxton's cross. But the Norway under-19 international redeemed himself moments later, producing an excellent left wing cross which Francis Jeffers effortlessly nodded home to make it 2-1.

Wednesday's experienced front two were also showing their quality and the Owls could have scored again when Jeffers cut in from the left only to shoot straight at Mariners keeper, Gary Montgomery, with Burton waiting on the edge of the six-yard box.

Burton then fired just wide after a fine lay-off from his striker partner but Wednesday remained behind at the break.

Grimsby came out with more purpose after half time and the Owls were lucky not to concede when Andy Taylor went through one on one with O'Donnell, dragging his shot wide, before Chris Llewellyn curled a long-range effort against the crossbar just before the hour mark.

O'Donnell pulled off a point blank save from Jamie Steele's header but Wednesday were unlucky not to level when Burton broke clear from Buxton's through-ball to shoot beyond Montgomery only to find he had been flagged offside.

The Owls forged another good chance on 75 minutes, Simek cutting in to square from the right only to see Kenny Lunt shoot over the crossbar.

With five minutes remaining Wednesday, excellent interplay between Burton and Jeffers set up a good chance which Smith sliced wide from the edge of the penalty area for the last real chance to salvage a draw.

Wednesday reserves: O'Donnell, Simek, Hadfield, Wragg, L Lekaj, Smith, Buxton, Lunt, R Lekaj, Jeffers, Burton.

Subs not used: Pratt, N Wood, Connelly, Palmer, Kirkland.