Shay’s OK as he nets late on for Coleman
ACCRINGTON’S Northern Irish hero Shay McCartan rescued a point for his side thanks to a stunning late free-kick.
McCartan cracked home his third goal in two games from 25 yards as the hosts extended their unbeaten run to an impressive ten games.
It was a terrific goal to earn a share of the spoils, but for Stanley boss John Coleman, he clearly felt his side had let two points slip away.
“It’s a bit disappointing to be honest, we’ve created the bulk of the chances,” said Coleman.
“Credit to Grimsby, though, they’re one of the better sides we’ve played here this season.
“They hadn’t really laid a glove on us until they scored, we did enough to have won. But I can’t have too many complaints with a draw.
“That was a kind of team that we would probably have lost to earlier in the season.
“We can’t be perfect, but we certainly could have done better and converted one or two more chances.”
Stanley came closest to breaking the deadlock in a goalless first period. Full-back Harvey Rodgers cracked in a shot from 25 yards which struck the outside of a post.
Matty Pearson volleyed narrowly over for the hosts, while the Mariners’ best chance fell to Dominic Vose, whose 20-yard strike was saved well by Aaron Chapman.
The woodwork came to Grimsby’s rescue in the early stages of the second half.This time it was Pearson who was thwarted as his longrange effort crashed against the post.
Mariners bagged the opener after 70 minutes with a great strike from sub Akwasi Asante, who rifled home his first Grimsby goal from 12 yards after turned neatly inside Stanley defender Janoi Donacien.
But McCartan’s touch of magic just before the end saw the points shared.
Mariners boss Marcus Bignot said: “That’s the last two games we’ve succumbed to free-kicks now, it’s cost us four points.
“I’ve never seen a team concede as many direct free-kicks like that. It’s something our defenders maybe need to work more on.
Bignot, meanwhile, criticised the two-foot high metal perimeter fence at Stanley after striker Scott Vernon crashed into it in the 57th minute, badly gashing his head and suffering concussion.
“The fences are dangerous,” he said. “They need to be looked at, being so close to the touchline.
“We’ll lose Scott for two weeks now.”