Paul Hurst praised his team’s character after Grimsby Town threatened to shock League 2 leaders Stockport when fighting back from 2-0 down at Edgeley Park.
Goals from Donovan Wilson and Gavan Holohan, from the penalty spot, levelled up the scores with more than half-an-hour to play. Even after Louie Barry restored the hosts lead, the Mariners fought on deep into stoppage time.
Barry’s brace mean Stockport recorded an eighth straight win. The hosts were awarded a penalty inside six minutes after Will Collar was pulled down in the box, with Barry converting to open the scoring.
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Two minutes later, Tanto Olaofe slotted past Jake Eastwood to double Stockport’s lead. The Hatters almost made it three after 39 minutes, but a second spot-kick was struck wide by Olaofe.
Grimsby Town halved the deficit shortly before half-time, as Donovan Wilson scrambled for the ball and scored from close range. Seven minutes into the second half, the visitors equalised through a Gavan Holohan penalty after goalkeeper Ben Hinchliffe brought him down.
But Stockport restored their lead in the 74th minute when a free-kick met the head of Collar and he nodded across goal for Barry to score. Town bravely fought on, but were unable to secure a battling draw. And despite their endeavour, a second straight defeat leaves Grimsby 20th in League 2, just four points above the relegation zone.
Hurst was frustrated with some of the decisions from officials during the game but commended his team for how they got back into it. “From our point of view, there was a bit extra there, a lot of character there, we had them on the ropes, especially in periods of that second half.
“I haven’t had a chance to look at all of the decisions in detail, but looking at some of the footage I thought some of those decisions were really poor today. I felt the home crowd influenced the decision for the first penalty, they were both at it pulling each other.
“The second goal was poor from our point of view in terms of positioning and then you feel like you’re going to be really up against it. I felt a lot of things went against us rather than for us, but at 2-0 down against the league leaders, who were flying so early in the game, I think you’ve got to give credit to our players for getting back into it.
“I don’t think we’ve got what we deserved today against what is obviously a top team.”
Reporting by PA Media.
Original story at https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/
