Salford Metropolis hit again to win 2-1 at Grimsby within the first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final.
Reece Staunton scored a surprising opener after simply 26 seconds for the Mariners, however Salford turned it round. Kallum Cesay levelled a couple of minutes later, whereas Adebola Oluwo nodded in simply earlier than the break.
It means Karl Robinson’s Salford – who missed the possibility to seal automated promotion on last day – take the benefit into their dwelling second leg on the Peninsula Stadium on Friday night time.
It was an electrical begin as Grimsby took simply 26 seconds to seek out the lead. a purpose on simply 26 seconds. A ball into the field was solely half cleared to Staunton on the sting, and he lofted an excellent volley into the highest nook.
The benefit was short-lived. Three minutes later Salford have been degree as an extended ball was labored into Cesay, who completed coolly into the underside nook.
And so they accomplished the turnaround earlier than the break as Oluwo headed dwelling from a nook. There was, nonetheless, a component of controversy about it as Grimsby goalkeeper Jackson Smith appeared to have his line of sight impeded by a Salford participant in an offside place.
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Salford wasted little time to find an equaliser as Kallum Cesay bundled the ball dwelling simply three minutes after Grimsby had taken the lead
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Salford fought again from a purpose all the way down to take the lead at Blundell Park after Adebola Oluwo headed dwelling from a nook
Oluwo immense on the again for Salford
It’s simple to neglect that this has been Oluwo’s first season within the EFL.
The 26-year-old centre-back has been on a nomadic journey via non-league earlier than being picked up by Salford Metropolis final summer time, and was at College a couple of years in the past, not even considering knowledgeable profession in soccer.
However he confirmed how worthy he’s of being at this degree, on the very least, with an imperious show.
He scored the essential purpose that put Salford forward within the tie on the finish of the primary half, however on the again he was immense on the bottom and within the air, barely giving Grimsby’s forwards a kick.
Robinson: I almost clapped their purpose… however we responded brilliantly
Salford boss Karl Robinson on Sky Sports activities:
“I nearly clapped their goal, what a strike that was. But the way our players responded was brilliant because the atmosphere here was electric.
“To get the targets we did, after which to point out nice work in defence and in our construction. There was a degree of management in our efficiency, after which in our celebrations.
“We respect Grimsby immensely and it was a difficult game.”
