Two first half goals in 4 minutes saw a strong Grimsby outfit triumph over a spirited Harrogate Town.
After initial Grimsby pressure, it was Town who had the ball in the net after only four minutes.
Adam Nowakowski’s powerful header found Lloyd Kerry whose shot rebounded off the upright to Ashley Worsfold, and he netted from close range,only to be denied by the linesman’s flag.
An excellent through ball from James Walshaw released Worsfold but he shot inches wide.
As Town pressed forward it took a last ditch tackle from Sean Pearson to rob Ryan Kendall as he prepared to pull the trigger, then James McKeown had to make a flying save to keep out Walshaw’s header from a Lewis Turner centre.
The Mariners began to hit back and Ellis Humble tested Phil Barnes from 25 yards.
On 38 minutes the visitors took the lead when Scott Brown’s speculative shot from the edge of the area took a slight deflection to beat Barnes.
Four minutes later Grimsby completed the scoring when the impressive, Jack Mackreth, broke down the right and his low centre was turned in by John Lewis.
Scott Brown almost increased Grimsby’s lead shortly after the break when his stinging drive came back off the post with Barnes well beaten.
But minutes later Town should have reduced the arrears when Kendall sidefooted over from close range after superb approach play between Simon Lenighan and Walshaw had carved open the visiting defence.
Town introduced nine second half subs and Grimsby were not far behind as the managers sought to assess a number of trialists.
Town’s next game is on Saturday when FC Halifax Town visit Wetherby Road.
By John Harrison.
