By Match report: Late Crawley equaliser denies Town away victory
Grimsby Town were forced to settle for a point on the road following a late Crawley equaliser in League Two this evening.
A goal from Harry Clifton in the first half put the Mariners ahead, before Dom Telford levelled from the spot to earn his side a 1-1 draw.
Paul Hurst was forced to make four changes from the side that drew at home to Walsall at the weekend, with Josh Emmanuel, Alex Hunt, Otis Khan and Clifton all coming into the starting lineup.
Town started the game well and had the first opportunity with 11 minutes on the clock. Some good link-up play saw John McAtee have an effort at goal, but he couldn’t find the target.
The hosts had their first opportunity a few minutes later when a short corner led to Aramide Oteh getting a shot away that was saved comfortably by Max Crocombe.
Oteh nearly landed his side in deep trouble shortly after that, as his back pass to the keeper was almost intercepted by George Lloyd, but Corey Addai just beat him to the ball and cleared the danger.
Khan went close just past the midway point of the half, as Bryn Morris carried the ball forward and played it through to the winger, who picked his head up and curled an effort just wide of the post.
Morris then had a chance of his own a couple of minutes later, with his powerfully hit shot from a similar to where he scored from on Saturday going narrowly past the post.
Town found the breakthrough on 43 minutes through Clifton. Danny Amos brought the ball forward towards the hosts’ area, before finding Clifton and the midfielder showed good composure to strike the ball into the roof of the net.
There were a few early chances in the second half. The first fell to Lloyd, who cut back onto his left and sent a shot towards goal that hit the post and bounced away from danger.
A slip by Emmanuel at the other end then led to Telford having an effort on goal, but the forward couldn’t finish. Khan was next up to try his luck when he was sent through one-on-one moments later, but Addai saved his shot well to keep his side in the game.
The Mariners – firmly in control of proceedings – nearly added a second with just over 15 minutes to go when Lloyd played a first-time ball across the box to Clifton, but the keeper was on hand again to keep his effort out.
The visitors were punished for not taking their chances, as Crawley were awarded a penalty four minutes from time, with the referee adjudging Niall Maher had brought down Tom Fellows. Telford picked the ball up and beat Crocombe, who got a hand to it but it wasn’t enough to prevent the ball from hitting the back of the net.
Despite their efforts, Town weren’t able to work any opportunities to retake the lead in the closing minutes and had to settle for a point.
