Relegation-threatened Grimsby were denied a priceless win in dramatic circumstances as they drew with Bradford City.
Richie Smallwood netted a stoppage-time penalty for Bradford after Curtis Thompson had opened the scoring at Blundell Park.
Grimsby defender Denver Hume was sent off for giving away the penalty two minutes into added time, which proved decisive in the eventual outcome.
Chances were few and far between in the opening 45 minutes as Daniel Oyegoke dragged wide for Bradford and team-mate Tyler Smith forced Grimsby goalkeeper Jake Eastwood – on as an early substitute – into a save.
At the other end, Doug Tharme rose highest from a set-piece, but could not keep his attempt down.
Bobby Pointon curled over for Bradford upon the restart, but it was Grimsby who broke the deadlock in the 55th minute when Thompson set his sights from 25 yards and the ball flew past Sam Walker courtesy of a deflection.
That was not to be the telling moment, though, as Hume conceded a penalty in added-time – and was subsequently dismissed – and Bradford captain Smallwood stepped up to smash down the middle.
Report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Grimsby
Formation 5-3-2
- 1CartwrightSubstituted forEastwoodat 18′minutes
- 2Smith
- 28Mullarkey
- 24Tharme
- 5RodgersBooked at 90mins
- 33HumeBooked at 90mins
- 8Holohan
- 6Thompson
- 19AndrewsBooked at 85minsSubstituted forKhouriat 90+3′minutes
- 20ObikwuSubstituted forWilsonat 70′minutes
- 32Rose
Substitutes
- 7Eisa
- 10Vernam
- 12Eastwood
- 16Ainley
- 18Wood
- 25Wilson
- 30Khouri
Bradford
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 1Walker
- 31TomkinsonSubstituted forWalkerat 64′minutes
- 5PlattBooked at 67mins
- 18KellyBooked at 84mins
- 2Halliday
- 22OyegokeBooked at 53mins
- 6Smallwood
- 32RichardsSubstituted forWrightat 77′minutesBooked at 80mins
- 23PointonSubstituted forOduorat 64′minutes
- 8KavanaghBooked at 56mins
- 14SmithSubstituted forChapmanat 77′minutes
Substitutes
- 3Ridehalgh
- 7Walker
- 12Oduor
- 13Doyle
- 20Chapman
- 36Wright
- 39Wadsworth
- Referee:
- Matthew Corlett
- Attendance:
- 6,711
Live Text
-
Match ends, Grimsby Town 1, Bradford City 1.
-
Second Half ends, Grimsby Town 1, Bradford City 1.
-
Jamie Walker (Bradford City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
-
Foul by Curtis Thompson (Grimsby Town).
-
Ciarán Kelly (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Donovan Wilson (Grimsby Town).
-
Attempt saved. Matthew Platt (Bradford City) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Brad Halliday with a cross.
-
Jamie Walker (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Gavan Holohan (Grimsby Town).
-
Goal! Grimsby Town 1, Bradford City 1. Richard Smallwood (Bradford City) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the high centre of the goal.
-
Substitution, Grimsby Town. Evan Khouri replaces Jamie Andrews.
-
Harvey Rodgers (Grimsby Town) is shown the yellow card.
-
Denver Hume (Grimsby Town) is shown the red card.
-
Penalty Bradford City. Brad Halliday draws a foul in the penalty area.
-
Penalty conceded by Denver Hume (Grimsby Town) after a foul in the penalty area.
-
Richard Smallwood (Bradford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Foul by Danny Rose (Grimsby Town).
-
Foul by Ciarán Kelly (Bradford City).
-
Gavan Holohan (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
-
Corner, Grimsby Town. Conceded by Clarke Oduor.
