TOW N GET TH E TRIS OF LIFE!
TRISTAN Abrahams’ stoppage-time penalty took Grimsby Town a step closer to the National League playoffs as Torquay United’s own charge for a top-seven finish suffered a major blow.
The Mariners were forced to come from behind after their visitors dominated the opening half-hour and took a deserved lead through captain Asa Hall.
But Town, without key man John McAtee after he was injured in the Easter Monday win at King’s Lynn, only trailed for 11 minutes until Harry Clifton levelled the scores.
That goal changed the momentum of the game and the hosts went on to control the second half but despite creating several good chances, they had to wait until
the closing stages for the all-important winner.
Grimsby boss Paul Hurst said: “It was a strange game and I didn’t think we were at it in the first half.
“We were better in the second half and as it went on, I thought they looked tired. We got a late goal, which was most welcome, and it is a very welcome three points.”
Both sides came into the contest having taken 13 points from their previous five games.
Gary Johnson’s Gulls made the better start and Grimsby keeper Max Crocombe had to make a good save to deny Armani Little on the quarter-hour, before the away side broke the deadlock 13 minutes later when a corner from the right fell for Hall and he found the net from close range.
Grimsby came to life six minutes before the break when good hold-up play by Ryan Taylor led to Clifton arrowing a low shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards.
Clifton had two further opportunities to add to his tally after the interval after twice being played in by the impressive Sean Scannell, and Taylor also hit the bar.
But the crucial moment came when Danny Amos was fouled inside the box and substitute Abrahams kept his nerve to send keeper Shaun Macdonald the wrong way from the spot.
Johnson said: “The players have given us everything for the last 20-odd games and so have the fans but of course, we are disappointed with the result.
“I thought we had a very good first half but had some chances that we didn’t take.
“As the game went on, I felt we were less and less effective.”
The result left Torquay ten points off the final play-off position with five games remaining but Johnson refused to give up on the prospect of the Devon side extending their season.
He said: “It was a very important game but I certainly won’t give up and nor will the fans until it is mathematically impossible.”
STAR MAN: Sean Scannell
(Grimsby)
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