Match ends, Crewe Alexandra 0, Grimsby Town 3.
Grimsby virtually secured their English Football League survival for another season with an emphatic 3-0 win at play-off hopefuls Crewe thanks to goals from Toby Mullarkey, Curtis Thompson and Denver Hume.
The Mariners are six points clear of second-bottom Sutton, who only have two games to play, and also have a far superior goal difference.
Justin Obikwu wasted an early opening for the visitors when he was put clear in the box, but he took too much sizing up goal and Lewis Billington's intervention steered the striker's effort past the post.
On-loan debutant Crewe goalkeeper Max Stryjek, whose move from Wycombe Wanderers was only completed just before kick-off, was at fault for the Grimsby opener on 38 minutes.
Doug Tharme's long-throw was headed on by Mullarkey, but Stryjek pushed the ball weakly into the air and was then unable to prevent it creeping over the line.
The visitors doubled their lead from another set play just before the hour mark when Thompson volleyed home Charles Vernam's outswinging corner from the edge of the box.
Crewe's response was tame, although Jake Eastwood needed to take evasive action to prevent Nevitt's block on his clearance from crossing the line and then the Grimsby keeper did well to keep out an effort from Charlie Finney in the closing minutes.
But substitute Hume rounded off the Mariners' afternoon when he finished off into the far corner after Donovan Wilson cut the ball across the box.
Crewe were allowed to sign Stryjek on an emergency loan following injuries to Tom Booth and Harvey Davies, which had left them with 17-year-old teenager Mikolaj Lenarcik as their only fit keeper.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Crewe
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 42Stryjek
- 28Billington
- 5Demetriou
- 4WilliamsBooked at 62mins
- 2CooneyBooked at 34mins
- 25AusterfieldSubstituted forTabinerat 54'minutes
- 17Holícek
- 3Adebisi
- 21RoweSubstituted forAgiusat 61'minutes
- 30KirkBooked at 45minsSubstituted forFinneyat 54'minutes
- 20Nevitt
Substitutes
- 11Tabiner
- 24Finney
- 29Kempster-Down
- 32Woodcock
- 33Agius
- 38Sant
- 40Lenarcik
Grimsby
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 12Eastwood
- 28MullarkeyBooked at 45mins
- 24Tharme
- 5Rodgers
- 2Smith
- 6Thompson
- 4GreenSubstituted forCliftonat 82'minutes
- 10VernamSubstituted forHumeat 83'minutes
- 8HolohanSubstituted forAndrewsat 88'minutes
- 20ObikwuSubstituted forAinleyat 88'minutes
- 32RoseSubstituted forWilsonat 22'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Eisa
- 15Clifton
- 16Ainley
- 19Andrews
- 25Wilson
- 33Hume
- 41Auton
- Referee:
- Simon Mather
- Attendance:
- 5,665
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home57%
- Away43%
- Shots
- Home5
- Away21
- Shots on Target
- Home2
- Away5
- Corners
- Home4
- Away13
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Crewe Alexandra 0, Grimsby Town 3.
Post update
Joel Tabiner (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Jamie Andrews (Grimsby Town).
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Foul by Ryan Cooney (Crewe Alexandra).
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Curtis Thompson (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Offside, Crewe Alexandra. Ryan Cooney is caught offside.
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Attempt missed. Harvey Rodgers (Grimsby Town) header from the left side of the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Jamie Andrews with a cross following a set piece situation.
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Foul by Zac Williams (Crewe Alexandra).
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Donovan Wilson (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Goal!
Goal! Crewe Alexandra 0, Grimsby Town 3. Denver Hume (Grimsby Town) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Donovan Wilson.
Substitution
Substitution, Grimsby Town. Jamie Andrews replaces Gavan Holohan.
Substitution
Substitution, Grimsby Town. Callum Ainley replaces Justin Obikwu.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match (Crewe Alexandra).
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Attempt saved. Charlie Finney (Crewe Alexandra) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matús Holícek with a cross.
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Corner, Crewe Alexandra. Conceded by Doug Tharme.
Substitution
Substitution, Grimsby Town. Denver Hume replaces Charles Vernam.
Substitution
Substitution, Grimsby Town. Harry Clifton replaces Kieran Green.
Post update
Attempt missed. Gavan Holohan (Grimsby Town) right footed shot from the right side of the box is too high. Assisted by Kieran Green.
Comments
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Good to see Ainley coming on.
Dave Artell was deservedly applauded but no sign of the man - mystery!
Was expecting us to maybe get a point, but very happy with the way we played and the three points.
I we don't get a couple back for next week's game against Hollywood I will be bringing my abacus!
No assistance from regular assistant Danny ? 😁