Charles Vernam's 85th-minute winner gave play-off chasing Grimsby a 1-0 victory over 10-man Notts County at Meadow Lane.

After striker Lee Ndlovu was shown a straight red with 14 minutes to go for a high boot on Harvey Rodgers, Vernam settled the contest by finding the bottom corner from 18 yards.

It was Ndlovu himself who went closest for County 10 minutes into the second half, dragging inches wide from Tom Iorpenda's low ball across the six-yard box.

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Visiting goalkeeper Jackson Smith also crucially kept out Rod McDonald's header with a fine reaction stop in injury time.

A far more open second period stood in contrast to a low-quality first half, with Grimsby immediately going close twice in quick succession minutes after the break.

Jamie Walker was narrowly denied as James Belshaw pushed his effort over the bar, before Vernam's resulting corner saw Rodgers' header force Belshaw into a diving save.

At the other end, Smith held efforts from Iorpenda and Matthew Dennis, but County were unable to break the deadlock before Ndlovu's dismissal preceded Vernam's vital intervention.

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