Mariners Net Play-Off Final Berth

Imps striker Marvin Robinson and Grimsby's colossus defender Rob Jones collided with their heads and while Robinson was able to recover and play on Rob Jones took no further part in the contest.And before substitute Ben Futcher could come on against his old club, City scored while Grimsby were still down to ten men. It was Robinson who inflicted the blow with a stooping header from a left-wing free-kick.

At half-time it was 1-1 on aggregate and still anyone's game but Grimsby came out strongly at the start of the second half. Futcher came close when heading a free-kick onto the roof of the net on 53 minutes but he made no mistake seven minutes later.

A well-worked corner routine saw the ball returned into the middle where it was neatly turned in by Futcher who showed a good striker's instinct. With Grimsby 2-1 ahead on aggregate Lincoln roared back with their best spell of the game. But the decisive goal fell to the Mariners.

With nine minutes remaining excellent Town right-back Gary Croft was brought down in full flight and a pin-point Curtis Woodhouse free-kick was headed in by Gary Jones for his 17th goal of the season. Gary Jones then got himself sent off in added time for leading with his elbow on Lincoln defender Gareth McAuley which means he will miss the final on the 28th May.

The final whistle three minutes later signalled a pitch invasion from the delighted home supporters and shortly after the final whistle the victorious Grimsby players emerged into the Main Stand to take further applause.



Grimsby line-up :

Steve Mildenhall, Gary Croft, Justin Whittle, Tom Newey, Rob Jones (Ben Futcher 28), Curtis Woodhouse, Paul Bolland, Gary Jones, Andy Parkinson, Gary Cohen (Michael Reddy 59), Junior Mendes (Ciaran Toner 76).

Unused substitutes :

Jean-Paul Kalala Kamudimba and Mark Goodfellow.


Lincoln line-up :

Alan Marriott, Lee Beevers (Francis Green 74), Gareth McAuley, Jamie McCombe (Paul Mayo 86), Jeff Hughes, Paul Morgan, Nat Brown, Scott Kerr (Lee Frecklington 77), Jamie Forrester, Simon Yeo, Marvin Robinson.

Unused substitutes :

Colin Cryan and Gary Birch.


Referee - Mike Dean (Heswall, Wirral).

Attendance - 8,062.


Shots on target - Grimsby 4 Lincoln 5.

Shots off target - Grimsby 7 Lincoln 10.

Hit woodwork - Grimsby 0 Lincoln 0.

Offsides - Grimsby 1 Lincoln 3.

Corners - Grimsby 4 Lincoln 4.

Free-kicks conceded - Grimsby 13 Lincoln 14.

Goals - Marvin Robinson 27 (L), Ben Futcher 60 (G), Gary Jones 82 (G).

Yellow cards - Jamie McCombe 19 (L), Jeff Hughes 37 (L), Simon Yeo 39 (L), Gary Croft 45 (G), Justin Whittle 67 (G), Lee Frecklington 85 (L), Francis Green 85 (L).

Red card - Gary Jones 90 (G).



Post-match quotes :


Grimsby are to appeal against the last-minute sending off of leading scorer and match-winner Gary Jones. After the game boss Russell Slade said:

"There was no intent on Gary's part and this was the only negative moment of a good night. He is the figurehead of our attack and we will be asking the referee to take another look.