By Grimsby lose top spot in dramatic last-minute loss
Grimsby Town have lost their lead at the top of the National League after a last-minute Ruben Rodrigues saw Notts County take all three points at Blundell Park.
Boreham Wood’s 1-0 win over struggling Southend see them leapfrog the Mariners to the summit in a horror week for Town.
The loss ruins Grimsby’s 100 per cent record at home this season at a packed Blundell Park, with the highest attendance all season, of 7,213.
Paul Hurst was hoping his side would bounce back after a disappointing midweek defeat at Wealdstone, but they failed to take their chances and the Magpies executed a smash-and-grab win.
The best chance for the home side came in the first half when Lenell John-Lewis struck the bar with a right-footed strike from a tight angle at the edge of the box.
It was a similar tale from Tuesday night as Grimsby failed to execute the final pass and struggled to find gaps in a very tight Magpies defence.
Notts County created little all game and were second-best for large portions of the game, but pounced on a lack of concentraton at the death by Town’s defence and Rodrigues poked home a scrappy winner.
The absence of John McAtee was clear as the transition between midfield and attack was sloppy for the home side, and that will need to change as it was confirmed the forward will be out for 4 weeks with a knee injury.
Harry Clifton started and was a workhorse in the midfield and created chances which John-Lewis and a returning Ryan Taylor could not find a deserved goal.
There are was one new injury concern too as Ryan Sears left the pitch in the first half with his arm in a makeshift sling, being replaced by Seb Revan playing on his unusual right side.
The result cuts the gap between the two sides to just four points and sends the home fans crashing down to Earth after a dream start to life back in the National League.
