Grimsby Town 1-2 Salford City: Karl Robinson's side hit back to win first leg of League Two play-off semi-final
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet League Two play-off semi-final first leg between Grimsby Town and Salford City at Blundell Park on Sunday; Kallum Cesay and Adebola Oluwo score in comeback win.
Sunday 10 May 2026 17:31, UK
Salford City hit back to win 2-1 at Grimsby in the first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final.
Reece Staunton scored a stunning opener after just 26 seconds for the Mariners, but Salford turned it around. Kallum Cesay levelled a few minutes later, while Adebola Oluwo nodded in a somewhat controversial winner just before the break.
It means Karl Robinson's Salford - who missed the chance to seal automatic promotion on final day - take the advantage into their home second leg at the Peninsula Stadium on Friday night.
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Grimsby start fast but Salford score controversial winner
It was an electric start as Grimsby took just 26 seconds to find the lead. a goal on just 26 seconds. A ball into the box was only half cleared to Staunton on the edge, and he lofted a superb volley into the top corner.
The advantage was short-lived. Three minutes later Salford were level as a long ball was worked into Cesay, who finished coolly into the bottom corner.
And they completed the turnaround before the break as Oluwo headed home from a corner. There was, however, an element of controversy about it as Grimsby goalkeeper Jackson Smith appeared to have his line of sight impeded by a Salford player in an offside position.
To say that Grimsby boss David Artell wasn't enamoured with the goal not being ruled out was an understatement.
"I'm not going to talk about the referee," he told Sky Sports. "I'll let others decide [if it shouldn't have stood]. We've all seen the second goal.
"If I tell you exactly what I think, I'll be at [an FA hearing at] Wembley tomorrow morning."
Oluwo immense at the back for Salford
Sky Sports EFL Editor Simeon Gholam:
It is easy to forget that this has been Oluwo's first season in the EFL.
The 26-year-old centre-back has been on a nomadic adventure through non-league before being picked up by Salford City last summer, and was at University a few years ago, not even contemplating a professional career in football.
But he showed how worthy he is of being at this level, at the very least, with an imperious display.
He scored the crucial goal that put Salford ahead in the tie at the end of the first half, but at the back he was immense on the ground and in the air, barely giving Grimsby's forwards a kick.
Robinson: I nearly clapped their goal... but we responded brilliantly
Salford boss Karl Robinson on Sky Sports:
"I nearly clapped their goal, what a strike that was. But the way our players responded was brilliant because the atmosphere here was electric.
"To get the goals we did, and then to show great work in defence and in our structure. There was a level of control in our performance, and then in our celebrations.
"We respect Grimsby immensely and it was a difficult game."
