Match ends, Grimsby Town 1, Braintree Town 0.
GrimsbyGrimsby Town1BraintreeBraintree Town0
Craig Disley scored the only goal as Grimsby beat visitors Braintree.
The winner came two minutes into the second half when Disley rose to meet Carl Magnay's cross and head past Nick Hamann.
Braintree's chances of salvaging a point were dashed when midfielder Chez Isaac was sent off four minutes from time for a second bookable offence.
The result allowed Grimsby to take advantage of Macclesfield's 4-0 defeat at Eastleigh to move into third.
Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst told BBC Radio Humberside:
"For me that's the best win out of the three at the end of a tough week.
"What we have to remember is the expectations that the players have to carry which Braintree don't.
"People might think that Grimsby v Braintree is not a big occasion but it's a crucial goal - look at the other results.
"We've put a little bit of pressure on Macclesfield now going above them."
Line-ups
Grimsby
Formation 4-4-2
- 1McKeown
- 6Magnay
- 5Pearson
- 22Nsiala
- 35Robertson
- 7Mackreth
- 8DisleyBooked at 45mins
- 16ClaySubstituted forBrownat 74'minutes
- 20ArnoldSubstituted forJolleyat 67'minutes
- 18Pittman
- 14John-LewisBooked at 45minsSubstituted forParslowat 84'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Brown
- 10Hannah
- 19Parslow
- 33Palmer
- 34Jolley
Braintree
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Hamann
- 2Brundle
- 20Clerima
- 6MasseyBooked at 81mins
- 3Habergham
- 26MulleySubstituted forMaybanksat 18'minutesSubstituted forPetersat 77'minutes
- 8DavisBooked at 44mins
- 4IsaacBooked at 86mins
- 11Sparkes
- 9MarksBooked at 4mins
- 15Akinola
Substitutes
- 16Maybanks
- 19Pollen
- 23Peters
- 24Moore
- 29Pentney
- Referee:
- John Brooks
- Attendance:
- 3,339
Match Stats
Home TeamGrimsbyAway TeamBraintree
- Possession
- Home56%
- Away44%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home1
- Away1
- Corners
- Home0
- Away0
- Fouls
- Home15
- Away10
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Grimsby Town 1, Braintree Town 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Simeon Akinola (Braintree Town) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high.
Post update
Attempt missed. Sean Marks (Braintree Town) header from the centre of the box misses to the right. Assisted by Mitch Brundle with a cross.
Post update
Foul by Christian Jolley (Grimsby Town).
Post update
Ryan Peters (Braintree Town) wins a free kick.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Chez Isaac (Braintree Town) for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Chez Isaac (Braintree Town).
Post update
Gregor Robertson (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick.
Post update
Foul by Jon-Paul Pittman (Grimsby Town).
Post update
Mitch Brundle (Braintree Town) wins a free kick.
Substitution
Substitution, Grimsby Town. Danny Parslow replaces Lenell John-Lewis.
Post update
Attempt missed. Gregor Robertson (Grimsby Town) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Booking
Alan Massey (Braintree Town) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by Alan Massey (Braintree Town).
Post update
Jack Mackreth (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick.
Post update
Foul by Jack Mackreth (Grimsby Town).
Post update
Sam Habergham (Braintree Town) wins a free kick.
Substitution
Substitution, Braintree Town. Ryan Peters replaces Joe Maybanks.
Post update
Attempt missed. Simeon Akinola (Braintree Town) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Mitch Brundle with a cross.
