Grimsby's hopes of survival suffered a severe blow as they were beaten 2-1 by play-off chasing Northampton.

Akinfenwa seals victory with 15th goal of the season

Grimsby's hopes of League Two survival suffered a severe blow as they were beaten 2-1 by play-off chasing Northampton. Adebayo Akinfenwa's 15th goal of the season sealed victory for the Cobblers in the 66th minute, shortly after Grimsby centre-back Oliver Lancashire had been sent off for an apparent elbow on Billy McKay. Northampton had earlier taken the lead through Liam Davis, only for Michael Coulson to pull the hosts level three minutes before the break. Davis' opener came in the 14th minute, the midfielder finishing confidently after Akinfenwa had slipped a neat ball into his path. Jamie Devitt created the equaliser when he cut in from the left before feeding Coulson, who let the ball run across his body before placing a firm right-foot shot past Jason Steele. Lancashire then received a straight red from referee Anthony Taylor when he blocked McKay on the right. And the Cobblers made their numerical advantage pay when Akinfenwa headed home a Luke Guttridge cross at the far post.