Forest Green Rovers

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Yan Klukowski

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Grimsby 2-1 Forest Green

Grimsby Town kept their play-off ambitions alive with a 2-1 win over Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

The Mariners missed a penalty and struck the post but Conor Townsend sniped the points with a last-gasp free-kick after Rovers' Yan Klukowski cancelled out Liam Hearn's opener at Blundell Park.

Victory boosted Grimsby's tally to 58 points - four short of the play-off places, while Rovers are 12th on the Blue Square Bet Premier table with 52 points.

In a keenly contested fixture, Hearn put the hosts in front in the 13th minute. Hearn pounced from close range after Anthony Elding headed back a cross from Gary Silk.

The lead, though, was short-lived as Klukowski netted from the spot three minutes later after Silk fouled James Norwood in the box.

There were chances at either end after the interval, with Rovers looking dangerous on the break.

But it was the hosts who came closest before eventually delivering the telling blow.

First, Elding had an 87th minute penalty brilliantly saved by Sam Russell after Jake Thomson handled a free-kick into the box.

Moments later substitute Rob Duffy thundered a 20-yard volley against the post - much to the exasperation of the home fans.

However, the Grimsby faithful were placated in injury time as Townsend curled his free-kick in after Luke Graham was blown up for a challenge on Michael Coulson on the edge of the area.

Grimsby bookings: Silk, Duffy.

Forest Green bookings: Thomson, Henderson.

Ref: Wigglesworth.

Att: 3,294.