Latics lose at Grimsby

GOAL: Jamie Reckord

GRIMSBY 2, ATHLETIC 1

JAMIE Reckord netted a second-half header, but Athletic fell to another defeat in their penultimate pre-season friendly at Blundell Park by way of a superb free-kick.

Mariner substitute Dominic Vose left Athletic goalkeeper Connor Ripley with little chance when striking home an 80th-minute set-piece that went in off the underside of the crossbar.

Ollie Banks had earlier sent in a curling free-kick from the left flank, with Athletic left-back Reckord climbing highest among a group of would-be scorers to nod in from close range.

Grimsby, newly promoted to League Two, opened the scoring on 14 minutes through Kayden Jackson's header from a cross by Ben Davies.

Both sides had other chances – for Athletic, Billy Mckay and Lee Erwin might have done better with their opportunities – but in the end, Vose's intervention was decisive.