Exeter 3-2 Grimsby: Paul Hurst's Mariners relegated from Sky Bet League Two

Grimsby have been relegated from Sky Bet League Two after a 3-2 defeat to Exeter at St James Park.

The Mariners had faced the threat of the drop on Saturday but lived to fight another day after a 2-1 win at Oldham. Defeat on Tuesday, coupled with the fact Barrow beat Forest Green 2-0, however, means their fate is sealed with two games to play.

It has been an unsettled campaign for the club, who dropped into the relegation zone shortly after Paul Hurst returned to replace Ian Holloway on December 30 and, with just four wins in 22 games since, they were unable to escape.

It means Grimsby will play in the National League for the first time since 2015/16, when they were promoted back to the Football League via the play-offs under Hurst.

It took 20 minutes before the first real chance, with Exeter's Ben Seymour heading goalwards from Josh Key's cross, but goalkeeper James McKeown was equal to it and palmed the ball over the crossbar.

Robbie Willmott then skied an effort for Exeter before Randell Williams' trickery and superb low cross led to Luke Waterfall putting the ball into his own net in the 33rd minute.

Grimsby drew level in the 42nd minute when Lewis Page brought down Harry Clifton in the penalty area and Lenell John-Lewis made no mistake from 12 yards.

The plucky Mariners went in front just before the hour when Jay Matete's 20-yard shot beat Jokull Andresson at his near post, but Matete was then sent off for a reckless challenge on Archie Collins three minutes later.

Exeter drew level in the 84th minute when substitute Alex Fisher scrambled home from a corner.

Fisher then headed a great chance wide before Ryan Bowman powered a superb header into the top corner from Pierce Sweeney's cross to seal the win for Exeter and send the Mariners down.

As tempers frayed at full-time, Grimsby's assistant manager Chris Doig was sent off for abusing the referee.

Grimsby boss Hurst: We are hurting

"Obviously it is something that you don't want to experience," said Grimsby boss Paul Hurst following their relegation. "It is very quiet in the dressing room, as you would expect. We've said a few things that I think needed to be said.

"There is a frustration about tonight in terms of not being able to take it into Saturday at least and stay in with a fighting chance.

"I thought the referee was poor. I've watched the red card back, it was a foul that was it, not even a yellow card.
"He ducked his head and it's not a red card. Who knows what the game would have panned out like, but it certainly didn't help.

"The team that have represented us more recently doesn't deserve what the outcome has been. But unfortunately, it is over a season and that is why we are where we are."

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