The FInal Countdown

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 26/04/2025

GRIMSBY still have a play-off spot in their own hands when they face AFC Wimbledon next week after a 0-0 draw at MK Dons today. A win over AFC would mean Town end above the Londoners, and would finish either 6th or 7th depending on other results.

If Town fail to win they would depend on other teams dropping points to get in the play-offs, and probably would fail to.

David Artell named an unchanged side after Town game so close to a win at Port Vale on Monday.

Over 10,000 supporters gathered for the final game of the season at Stadium MK, but the ground still looked empty apart from a healthy GTFC contingent close to 2000 strong. MK Dons are out of the play-off picture but will be looking to improve significantly next season, with one of the most competitive budgets.

Both sides had chances in a first half in which neither side could really seize the initiative. Leko curled an effort just wide before Jake Eastwood made a fingertip save to deny Lemonheigh-Evans. Town got the ball in the net through Rose but the Town striker was ruled offside. Otherwise, Town's best chances were crosses nobody got on the end of.

Rose again got the ball in the back of the net in the second half, but the whistle had gone for a foul on the keeper. Eastwood made another good save to deny Hogan this time.

With conceding a goal meaning Town's season would be all but over, it was a tense second half. Some over-elaborate free kicks from Town didn't work out, but Green's direct shot on goal from a free kick almost broke a deadlock when it struck the base of the post.

With 8 minutes of injury time, Grimsby were torn between pressing for a winner that would make next week less difficult, or settling for a draw which would keep them in with a chance.

In the end, Town didn't do enough to win the game, and Eastwood wins man of the match for keeping a clean sheet despite several good attempts on goal and strong spells of pressure from the home team.

For the first time in almost 20 years, Grimsby enter game 46 of an EFL season with a chance of getting promoted. Town were last prompted in the EFL in 1998 when they went up to what is now the Championship.

Add To Facebook

This site is by the fans, for the fans, and we will consider articles on any subject relating to the Mariners whether it be related to current news, a nostalgic look back in the past, a story about a player, a game or games in the past, something about Blundell Park or football in general. Click here to submit your article!

Related Stories

• He Who Would Valiant Be
• Out of Control
• Unexpected Goals
• More Stories

This Season and previous Seasons