Grimsby move above Crewe in play-off battle with home success

Grimsby secured a crucial victory over fellow League Two play-off chasers Crewe with a 3-2 success at Blundell Park.

Two Andy Cook goals, one in each half, in between one from skipper Kieran Green took the hosts back up to eighth ahead of Crewe and just a point behind Chesterfield in the final play-off spot.

Cook’s deft touch put the Mariners in front in the 11th minute, as he muscled ahead of his marker and lifted the ball over Ian Lawlor, who could not quite scramble back before it crossed his goalline.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 49th minute after Cook broke through another challenge and cut the ball across goal from the byline for Green to tap in.

Cook was the finisher again for Grimsby’s third in the 58th minute as he converted Darragh Burns’ low cross with a first-time volley inside the box.

Crewe’s late comeback started too late as Tommi O’Reilly scored from the spot in the 88th minute before Mickey Demetriou headed in a second with the last action of the game in the seventh minute of added time.