Town Concede Late for First Draw

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 04/09/2016

GRIMSBY won their first away point of the season at Notts County but will be hugely disappointed as the Mariners surrendered a two goal lead and conceded yet another late goal. Town were the better side in the first half and should have been more than a goal up at the break.

However three substitutions by County in the second half brought the home side back into the game, and Town could have come away with nothing if they the Magpies had converted a penalty straight after the first County goal.

The Mariners were backed superbly by over 2000 supporters who made the short trip to the East Midlands in one of the largest away "armies" of recent years.

Paul Hurst brought new signings Brandon Comley and Shaun Tuton into midfield and forward roles respectively which meant captain Craig Disley started on the bench, and injured Kayden Jackson missed out. Chambers had an early chance for Town, which was saved, but the best opportunity fell to Tuton, on his debut, who fired narrowly wide from a one-on-one with the 'keeper. County almost scored not long afterwards but McKeown kept them out with a good save to deny Duffy.

Shaun Pearson gave Town the lead with a rare headed goal from a corner, although the County defender on the post should have done better. Town were well on top at this stage and could have gone two nil up when Vose and Chambers combined, but the latter stroked the ball narrowly wide of the post.

After the break Town went 2-0 up when Bogle intercepted a weak backpass and slotted it past the 'keeper. John Sheridan made a triple substitution which changed the shape of the County side, and the Magpies gradually came into the game more.

With 15 minutes to go the points looked safe for Town. However County pressure told and a goalmouth scramble fell to the feet of the unmarked Forte who gave the home side a lifeline from close range.

Town's afternoon fell to pieces straight afterwards when the ref awarded a penalty that few others saw when Pearson pulled the shirt of a County player, but O'Conner hit the ball just wide of the post from the spot kick.

County looked the most likely to score the next goal and so they duly did with three minutes to go. The ball fell to Collins on the edge of the box who drilled a low shot past McKeown.

The ref awarded a generous seven minutes of injury time, but Town managed to survive only thanks to a fingertip save by McKeown.

The timing of the goals means Town were disappointed with a draw, although the amount of chances created over the game as a whole was probably amount even. Grimsby unfortunately concede so many goals at the moment that scoring two themselves is not enough to win a game.

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