Live coverage of the League Two Play-off Final
"00 (Whistle blows)
Daniel Mann (DM): And we're off, to decide who gets that final place in League One. Will it be Grimsby Town, for the first time since 2004? Or is it third time lucky for perennial bridesmaids Exeter City, who were thwarted by Blackpool in 2017 and Coventry a year later. I'm joined by Andy Hinchcliffe.
Andy Hinchcliffe (AH): That's right Daniel. Exeter's build-up to this match has been marred by injury. Nicky Ajose's leg injury persists, so he doesn't make the squad today, while Adam Lewis, who scored that stunning goal in the semi final, is only fit enough for the bench. Neco Williams also misses out, having been recalled by Liverpool after suffering an ankle injury.
DM: Some nice early touches from Ryan Bowman, Ajose's stand-in. Interestingly Ajose and Bowman are neck and neck in the League Two scoring charts, both with 15. Bowman has a chance today to claim the golden boot, despite the fact he's yet to score from open play in 2020.
AH: Tyreik Wright has it now on the left hand side. Were you surprised by James's decision to start Wright in this one? He's played 11 games since joining from Aston Villa, and has yet to provide any goal contributions whatsoever.
DM: I think injury has definitely forced his hand. It's a shame for Neco Williams to miss such a big match, but who knows, this could be a massive breakthrough for Wright.
"21 1-0 Grimsby (Tilley)
AH: So it's a corner for Grimsby. Ramazani to swing it in. Clifton heads it down, and it's TILLEY!!! Hopeless marking from Exeter, and it's the 21 year old who makes them pay.
DM: And Tilley runs over to the Grimsby support. That's his fourth goal of the season, he almost didn't play today, having suffered a bout of food poisoning. Exeter made a good start, but once again, set pieces prove to be their downfall. Questions have to be asked of Aaron Martin there, how was Tilley allowed that much freedom?
"38 1-1 Exeter (Bowman)
DM: Randell Williams now, in the centre of the park, Richardson's making a good run on the right if he can spot him. Delivered into the box, Bowman's in the centre, and THERE IT IS! Bowman gets his second goal of 2020, and his first in open play. He's rediscovered his form at the right time.
AH: Brilliant work from Richardson down the right there, brushes past Clifton with ease, and creates the goal. It's all square now!
"41 2-1 Grimsby (Simoes)
DM: Simoes now picks it up on the left hand side. He's got Matt Jay in pursuit, but still going. Oh and he brushes off Jay, moves inside, still going, is he going to shoot? OH MY WORD!!! That may go down as the goal of the season.
AH: Unbelievable, it comes out of absolutely nothing. I never thought he'd take the shot on from there, but Lewis Ward in the Exeter goal has no chance. It cannons in off the crossbar, and no sooner had Exeter equalised, they're now behind again.
"45 Half-time whistle blows
DM: Well, well, well. Exeter have dominated the half, but Grimsby have scored both of their shots on target. Tilley gave Grimsby the lead, before Bowman headed Exeter back into contention. Simoes gave Grimsby the edge minutes later, with a goal I suspect we'll be talking about for a long time.
"52 Penalty to Grimsby
AH: Corner comes in, and it's headed away, but only as far as Tilley. Taylor closing in on him, the whistle goes, OH IT'S A PENALTY!
DM: What on earth is Jake Taylor doing?? Tom James is furious on the touchline and rightly so. 'Mr Exeter City' may have cost his club dearly in their biggest match here.
AH: It's a needless challenge, but he escapes a booking. Taylor looks like he's about to cry, he knows he's badly let the team down here.
DM: It's going to be Simoes to take it, can he grab his second of the afternoon NO HE CAN'T. Stunning save from Lewis Ward, who dives to his right to keep his team in contention.
AH: A fabulous save, and no one in the stadium is more grateful than Taylor. Simoes can score from 30 yards but he can't do it from the spot!
"58 3-1 Grimsby (Garmston)
AH: It's relentless pressure from Grimsby now, as Garmston has the ball on the left touchline, Taylor in pursuit and it's another needless foul.
DM: Well he's lucky to still be on the pitch to be honest. He's booked for this one, but he should have been booked for the penalty as well. Tom James just shakes his head. He knows this has been a dreadful performance from his captain.
AH: Garmston takes it quickly, finds Simoes. Simoes finds Traore, who plays a good goal to Garmston. Garmston has the beating of Richardson, takes a shot GOAAAAAAAAAL!
DM: It's another stunner, this time from Grimsby's left back. Garmston beats Ward with a left footed piledriver from the edge of the box. Exeter haven't been at the races this half and it's hard to see a way back for them now.
"90 Full time - Grimsby win promotion
DM: AND THEY'VE DONE IT! There will be parties on the Grimsby seafront all night, as the Mighty Mariners muster a magical display. Some feared the worst when Ian Holloway left for Stoke in January. But David Adams, in his first managerial role as worked wonders, and brings Grimsby back to League One for the first time in sixteen years.
AH: Absolutely, a wonderful story for him. You have to feel heartbroken for Exeter City and their fans. Lifelong fan Tom James is consoling his players right now, but he must be thinking what could have been, had his side not let their automatic promotion spot slip away so tamely. Jake Taylor looks distraught, normally renowned for his big game performances, he was poor today. Exeter were desperately lucky with injuries in the build up, but credit to Grimsby, they looked a cut above today.