MANNY SWELLS CARDS’ MISERY
EMMANUEL Dieseruvwe’s last-gasp winner broke Woking’s hearts as Grimsby Town snatched all three points at Blundell Park.
The managerless Cards looked on course for a hardearned point in their first game since sacking Alan Dowson, as a reward for a gutsy display which repelled several spells of pressure.
But the play-off-chasing hosts refused to let any frustration get the better of them and substitute Dieseruvwe’s goal with seconds remaining settled the contest.
“Everyone would have liked it to come sooner but at the same time, it’s a nice way to win a game,” said Mariners boss Paul Hurst.
“We had little spells and certainly at the start of the second half, I thought it was a matter of time until we scored.
“We didn’t get the goal and it looked like being a frustrating afternoon but you have to keep going and credit to the players for that.”
Grimsby had the best chances of the first half when Luke Waterfall’s header from new loan signing Callum Jones’ corner was pushed onto the post by keeper Craig Ross and the follow-up from Erico Sousa was cleared off the line.
The visitors gave as good as they got though and striker Inih Effiong outpaced Waterfall to get on the end of a long ball forward but was unable to open the scoring as stopper Max Crocombe blocked the shot with his feet at the near post.
Tristan Abrahams went close early in the second half but he was denied by Ross, while a foul on the keeper meant the scoresheet remained blank when Grimsby did manage to put the ball into the net following a goalmouth scramble just before the hour.
The hosts turned up the pressure as the clock ticked down but Woking remained strong at the back and they had a late opportunity to win it but Nicke Kabamba could only hit the side-netting from a narrow angle.
And with only seconds remaining, Dieseruvwe made the decisive contribution as he met a low cross from Abrahams to force the ball home at the near post and register his first goal since joining on loan from Tranmere.
Woking caretaker manager Ian Dyer said: “I’m gutted for the players. It’s a harsh lesson about football, especially at this level.
“I feel for the players because they have put everything into the game that I have asked of them in difficult circumstances in terms of preparation and I don’t think I can ask much more of the group than what they have given us today.”
STAR MAN: Emmanuel Dieseruvwe (Grimsby)
ATT: 5,423
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★☆☆
REFEREE: Garreth Rhodes