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It was, undeniably, an "old school cup tie" - one which both managers agreed provided "a bit of a throwback".
The pitch at Blundell Park was already a quagmire before kick-off between League Two Grimsby Town and Premier League Wolves, and rapidly deteriorated under relentless rainfall on the east coast.
The ball travelled unpredictably across the sodden surface. Players continued to slide for longer than expected. The pitch markings blurred in the mudbath.
It would be an understatement to suggest the conditions did not aid either team's ambitions of playing attractive football.
But they did produce fascinating scenes reminiscent of a bygone era, encapsulating the essence and charm of the FA Cup's history.
There would be no giant-killing here, however. Despite Grimsby's best efforts to test the visitors' resolve, top-flight strugglers Wolves squeezed into the fifth round by scoring from their only shot on target.
"It was a proper traditional old school cup tie," Grimsby boss David Artell told TNT Sports.
"It was going to be a fine margins game and that's how it was - we limited a Premier League team to one attempt on target and it's gone in.
"One chance, one goal for them. It showed how well we played in terrible conditions.
"The conditions made the game in some respects because it was a bit of a throwback."
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