Overview
- Charles Vernam had an early penalty saved by Crawley goalkeeper Nicholas Michalski, but Iwan Morgan converted a later spot-kick for his first goal for the club.
- Captain Kieran Green doubled the lead with a close-range header before half-time after Morgan supplied the cross from the right.
- Manager David Artell reshuffled the attack because Andy Cook was ruled out with a quad problem, handing Morgan the centre-forward role and giving Middlesbrough loanee Finlay Cartwright his first start.
- Michalski made several important saves to deny Grimsby further goals, yet the Mariners maintained control and kept a clean sheet to secure the win.
- Joe Foulkes made his first competitive appearance as a late substitute and Artell said the team must be more ruthless in front of goal despite the positive result.