Grimsby Town boss David Artell felt his side were “much the better team” once they reacted to Carlisle United’s strong start.

The Mariners staged a second-half fightback to win 3-2 at Brunton Park.

And Artell said a half-time team-talk, and the way his players carried out their plans, helped Grimsby turn the tide on the Blues.

“Once we got to grips with them I thought we were much the better team,” said Artell.

“The players deserve huge amounts of credit, certainly for the second half.

“The instructions we gave them at half-time helped them and they showed some real character to come back and win the game.

“I said it’s not about us as staff and them, it’s ‘we’. We gave them some information that we thought [Carlisle] were going to be [a back] four not a three, when we looked at their team, but we’d worked on a three, and the players then didn’t get it quite right.

“When we nailed down at half-time what we needed to do, we were much more on the front foot, could get our press right, and the game generally got played in their half.

“As the game wore on we got much better and stronger. Much fitter. All five subs were excellent, they all made a difference, and when you score a winner in the 90th minute it’s a pleasing afternoon.”

It was Grimsby’s first away win of the season as they claimed back-to-back league wins for the first time since March 2023.

It came despite the visitors trailing at the break 2-1 after Sam Lavelle and Dominic Sadi scored either side of Luca Barrington’s equaliser. Lewis Cass and Harvey Rodgers then headed Grimsby to a late victory.

On the way they conceded Lavelle’s goal from a corner, Artell, speaking in a club interview, said: “Steve Croudson [our goalkeeping coach] at half-time was apoplectic…if you don’t do your job you get punished.

Harvey Rodgers headed Grimsby to victory in the 90th minuteHarvey Rodgers headed Grimsby to victory in the 90th minute (Image: Ben Holmes)

“That was really, really disappointing. But then we’ve scored some really good goals.”

The Mariners boss, meanwhile, praised 17-year-old substitute keeper Seb Auton for his role in the victory, the teenager having replaced Jake Eastwood when the senior Grimsby keeper suffered a serious-looking injury following Lavelle’s goal.

“He [Auton] had a couple of saves straight at him, he looked really competent and assured, his kicking was really good,” Artell said.

“His demeanour was excellent. He’s been thrown in at the deep end, and he was outstanding.”

Eastwood was taken to hospital after being stretchered off. Artell’s initial reaction after the game was to say: “He’s got a massive gash on his knee, we think he slid into the actual bottom of the goal as opposed to the post.

“It’s sliced his knee open.

“We’re unsure if there’s tendon damage. We’ll see how he is.”