FC Halifax Town 1 Grimsby 1: Marshall finds target as Shaymen are held

Almost exactly a year to the night Town pummelled the Mariners, history didn’t repeat itself against a Grimsby side bearing no relation to its last incarnation at the Shay.

An improved second-half showing was enough for Town to earn a share of the spoils but Grimsby may rue their inability to add to their solitary goal during an excellent first-half display.

Richard Peniket’s mazy run off the left flank earned a free-kick, which Marshall dispatched for his first goal since the 5-1 thrashing of Hyde in March.

Town started like a side eager to erase the memory of last weekend’s poor performance with Marc Roberts and Marshall snapping into early tackles.

Grimsby drew level 11 minutes later.

Former Bradford winger Scott Neilson’s low shot went in off the same post that his drilled effort whistled past shortly afterwards as Grimsby belied their form of three defeats in four games.

Grimsby went close to adding to their tally after the break – Danny Schofield clearing off the line from a corner being the closest they came. Matt Pearson then came mightily close to a spectacular winner but his bicycle kick just over in the dying moments.

Halifax: Glennon, Bolton (K Roberts 18), M Roberts, Williams, McManus, Smith (Dyer 83), Pearson, Maynard (Schofield 43), Marshall, Peniket, Boden. Unused substitutes: Senior, Ainge.

Grimsby: McKeown, Brown, Pearson, Magnay, Doig, Mackreth (McLaughlin 90), Disley, Clay, Neilson, Hannah, Nsiala. Unused substitutes: Bignot, Humble, Walker, Winfarrah.

Referee: B Toner (Lancashire).