By Maguire-Drew rescues Mariners with dramatic last-minute goal
Jordan Maguire-Drew scored a dramatic last-minute header to rescue a point for Grimsby against in-form Halifax.
It was Grimsby’s first game in three weeks after a Covid outbreak suspended their festive fixtures, including a game against Halifax which was due to be played on Boxing Day.
The Mariners looked fresh after their unanticipated break, despite the full squad not returning to full training until the end of December.
Grimsby played with good energy and ended the first half the better side, despite a lack of clear chances and an injury to captain Giles Coke, who was replaced by Alex Hunt in what may turn into one of the loanee’s final appearances for the club.
The momentum carried on into the second half as eventual goal scorer Jordan Maguire-Drew was denied a goal of the season contender by the crossbar when his long range effort rattled off the woodwork.
The ball fell awkwardly to Ryan Taylor who saw his rebound effort blocked behind for a corner which met the head of Luke Waterfall but his strong effort was cleared off the line by Kian Spence.
It was Spence who would strike at the other end first however, when he scored after a Halifax counter attack.
The Shaymen broke away after a Town set piece with Jordan Slew striking from range and the save by Max Crocombe was only a parry and fell kindly to the defender who slotted home an unlikely goal for the away side.
Many fans were aggrieved however as from the set piece which Halifax broke from, Shaun Pearson appeared to have been bundled to the floor by Tom Bradbury, but the referee gave nothing despite strong protests from the Grimsby defender.
Pearson nearly got his own revenge five minutes later when his volley from the edge of the box flashed inches wide of the mark.
Ryan Taylor had a header cleared off the line again before Max Wright supplied a floated ball to the back post for Maguire-Drew to head home an equaliser with seconds to spare.
It was the winger’s first ever goal for the club and it send the 5,027 Mariners fans into wild celebration.
The point puts an end to Grimsby’s four game losing streak and keeps them in touch of the play-offs with just five points and a game in hand separating them and Bromley.
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