Braintree Town

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Grimsby 1-1 Braintree Town

Grimsby Town and Braintree Town could make little headway as they played out a 1-1 draw at Blundell Park on Saturday afternoon.

Liam Hearn (65) cancelled out Sean Marks's 59th minute opener at Blundell Park - extending the Mariners' unbeaten run to 15 games.

The result places Grimsby eighth on the table with 55 points, eight ahead of 13th-placed Braintree.

A goalless first half lacked imagination from both sides, with the Iron making life difficult for the home team in the final third.

The contest, however, ignited just before the hour in controversial circumstances. Marks was unchallenged as he stroked home past goalkeeper James McKeown, with the referee Declan Ford over-ruling his assistant, who flagged for offside. The ball looked like it may have brushed Grimsby midfielder Craig Disley on the way through to Marks.

Nevertheless, the lead was short-lived as Hearn pounced on the rebound for his 27th goal of the season after McDonald brilliantly saved Shaun Pearson's header off a Michael Coulson corner.

Grimsby midfielder Rob Duffy then put the ball in the back of the net but Ford spotted an infringement, much to the frustration of the home fans.

Disley looked like he was going to score the winner late on after beating McDonald but he was denied by a last-gasp challenge from Nicholas Symons with the net at his mercy.

Grimsby booking: Soares.

Braintree bookings: Symons, Quinton.

Ref: Ford.

Att: 3,688.