The Mariners fought back from two goals down against Cheltenham Town to register a third 2-2 draw in the space of eight days and continue their unbeaten start to the new Sky Bet League Two season.
A lively first-half display by the hosts saw them go into the dressing rooms 2-0 up at Whaddon Road, after Charlie McCann opened the scoring and 26-cap Austria international Andreas Weimann doubled their advantage from the penalty spot.
Town recovered well after the break though and new loan signing Mark Shelton came off the bench to halve the deficit with his first touch, before Kieran Green’s header with eight minutes to go earned a point for David Artell’s side.
Three changes were made to the Grimsby starting XI after Tuesday’s draw at Accrington Stanley, with goalkeeper David Harrington coming straight into the team after joining on a seven-day emergency loan from Bolton Wanderers as cover for the injured Christy Pym. The other alterations saw Cian Doyle and Charles Vernam replace Ryley Reynolds and Andy Cook.
Harvey Rodgers, Maldini Kacurri, Cameron McJannet and Jayden Sweeney formed the defence in front of Harrington, while Geza Turi sat behind the midfield of Sonny Finch, Green, Doyle and Vernam. Iwan Morgan moved into a central position to lead the attack.
Transfer deadline day loan signings Fin Cartwright and Shelton were both named as substitutes after making season-long moves from Middlesbrough and York City. Cook and Reynolds also had places on the bench, along with Seb Auton, Joe Foulkes and Jamie Walker.
Cheltenham sat sixth in the early league table at kick-off, having registered two wins, a draw and a defeat from their four fixtures so far. They would be looking to continue their 100 per cent home record after beating Rotherham United and York in their first two league games in Gloucestershire.
FIRST HALF
McJannet and Doyle combined to clear an early low cross from Shaun McWilliams, before Morgan’s first long throw of the afternoon was eventually dealt with by the home defence.
Kacurri had to slide in and win a good challenge with Weimann after Sweeney was dispossessed on the Cheltenham right, then Vernam fired off-target after getting the ball from Doyle and cutting inside from the left.
Keeper Wyll Stanway punched a long throw clear on nine minutes as Town started to settle after a fast start by the home side, with Rodgers then letting fly with a powerful strike from 20 yards which went over the bar.
The deadlock was broken on 12 minutes and it was Cheltenham who took the lead. Jake Evans cut into the penalty area from the right and as Doyle got back to challenge, the ball broke for McCANN to steer a first-time finish past Harrington.
Town’s response saw a low cross from Green cleared by defender Robbie Cundy, before Cundy stepped in again to get to a flick from Green ahead of Finch.
A Morgan long throw and a cross from Vernam were both dealt with as the Mariners continued to search for an equaliser, although Cheltenham were still looking dangerous in attack and McCann won the ball from Doyle and found Weimann on the right. The former Aston Villa and Derby County striker could not keep his cross in play, however.
Green looked to have created an opening for Finch soon afterwards but the ball was intercepted before it could reach the attacker inside the penalty area.
A foul on Vernam earned Jonathan Tomkinson the first yellow card of the game just before the half-hour, then good defending by Turi stopped the run of Evans into the Town box and earned a goal kick.
Doyle was penalised for a foul on Ben Stevenson inside the away half on 31 minutes but McCann’s free kick was headed clear.
Shaun McWilliams appealed for a penalty at the end of a good possession move by the hosts three minutes later but the referee instead gave the decision in Town’s favour, then Vernam got back to help Sweeney in defence and win a throw-in as Cheltenham attacked again.
McJannet made a vital interception to get to a low Jordan Shipley cross ahead of Weimann as the hosts pushed for a second goal before half-time.
Sweeney then brought Evans down to concede a free kick on the Cheltenham right, although McCann’s delivery into the box was too close to Harrington and the keeper made a comfortable catch.
Another home penalty appeal came on 41 minutes and this time, it was successful after McJannet brought Evans down inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot and WEIMANN stepped up to send Harrington the wrong way and make it 2-0.
Evans was off-target with a curling strike from 25 yards after good pressing led to Kacurri losing the ball, then Sweeney won a corner at the other end but the Mariners were unable to make Vernam’s delivery from the left flag count.
Three added minutes were played at the end of the first half and a Joe Tomlinson corner from the home left was headed clear, before Rodgers had to head behind for another corner. This time, Cundy headed wide at the far post in what turned out to be the last action of the half, leaving the Mariners with a two-goal deficit at the break.
SECOND HALF
Shelton and Cook replaced Doyle and Vernam as Town made two changes ahead of the restart.
And with his first touch in Mariners colours, Shelton brought his new club back into the contest. Rodgers’ cross from the right fell for the midfielder on the penalty spot and he swept a first-time finish beyond Stanway and into the net for 2-1.
Harrington caught a cross from the home right, before Finch sent the ball out of play at the other end as Town aimed to complete their recovery from two goals down.
Evans looked for a penalty after cutting inside from the right and going down under minimal contact from Sweeney but the referee instead pointed for a goal kick.
Rodgers could not pick a team-mate out with a cross at the other end but Shelton won a corner soon afterwards when his cross from the left took a deflection on its way out. Morgan’s delivery from the left landed on top of Stanway’s bar and bounced away for a goal kick.
Sweeney was brought down by Evans to give Town a free kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the penalty area on 58 minutes. Evans was booked for the challenge before Shelton’s shot hit the home wall and bounced away for a corner on the left, which Cook headed wide.
Cook had another good opportunity moments later after a great move saw Green find Turi inside the box. He pulled it back from the right for the striker but his shot lacked power and defender Pierce Sweeney made a block. Cook sent the rebound back towards goal but Sweeney was there again to keep the ball out from close range.
McCann looked to have an opportunity for Cheltenham just after the hour but could not bring the ball under control and Kacurri stepped in to clear, then Tomlinson fired straight at Harrington.
Weimann and Evans made way for Jake Bickerstaff and Freddy Wilcox in a double-substitution for Cheltenham on 64 minutes, before Harrington did well to claim a cross from Tomlinson.
Reynolds and Cartwright came on for Morgan and Finch as Town made a double-change of their own on 68 minutes, with the visitors now on top as they aimed to get themselves back on level terms.
Green hit the side-netting with a low cross from the right at the end of a good move, before George Nurse came on for Shipley in Cheltenham’s latest substitution.
The hosts won a corner when a Stevenson free kick was put behind by Sweeney but Town brought the ball clear and turned defence into attack until Nurse cleared for a throw-in.
Cartwright had a chance on 75 minutes when Shelton pulled the ball back from the left but the Middlesbrough loanee was denied by Cheltenham’s Sweeney, who made another great block.
Stevenson was off-target with a low strike from distance at the other end moments later, before Bickerstaff found the gloves of Harrington when he turned and shot from the edge of the box.
Green was booked for his protests after a free kick went against Rodgers, then Reynolds won a corner from Town’s next attack and Cartwright ensured it turned into another one on the opposite, right flank. This time, they made it count as Sweeney’s ball was met by GREEN to flick a near-post header across goal and into the net, levelling the scores with eight minutes remaining.
The momentum was now firmly with the Mariners as they looked to complete the turnaround and go on to win the game.
Cheltenham responded by making their final two changes, sending James Wilson and Kirsten Otchere on for Tomlinson and McWilliams.
Cartwright drew a foul in the centre-circle but the free kick was eventually dealt with and the hosts went on the attack, with a Tomkinson cross cleared by Reynolds.
Wilcox missed the target with a strike from distance as Cheltenham started to apply pressure with the clock ticking into at least three added minutes.
Town were also looking for a late winner and Cartwright saw a shot deflect away for a corner, which was punched clear by Stanway.
No further chances came in what was left of the game but red cards were shown to Cheltenham boss Steve Cotterill and Town first team coach analyst Ray Shearwood following a confrontation after the final whistle, with both sides forced to settle for a point each as Town recorded a fourth consecutive draw.
The Mariners are next in action on Saturday, when they host Bristol Rovers at Blundell Park in a 12.30pm kick-off in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
Town: Harrington, Rodgers, Kacurri, McJannet, Sweeney, Turi, Finch (Cartwright, 68), Green, Doyle (Shelton, 46), Vernam (Cook, 46), Morgan (Reynolds, 68)
Subs not used: Auton, Foulkes, Walker
UTM
