Lincoln's Gareth McAuley (r) holds off Gary Cohen
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Grimsby claimed a place in the League Two play-off final with a hard-fought 3-1 aggregate win over Lincoln City.
The Mariners led 1-0 from the first leg at Sincil Bank but Lincoln levelled the tie when Marvin Robinson headed home Scott Kerr's first-half free-kick.
However, Ben Futcher's flicked finish put Grimsby back in front and Gary Jones sealed their victory with a header before he was sent off late on.
Grimsby will play Cheltenham or Wycombe in the final on 28 May.
But Jones - who had also scored the only goal in the first leg - may miss that game following his dismissal for clashing with Lincoln defender Gareth McAuley in injury time.
His sending off came too late to influence a game that had been full of action from the start.
Both teams had chances before the Imps took the lead on 27 minutes, with the goal coming while Grimsby's giant defender Rob Jones received treatment for a clash of heads with Robinson.
Seconds after he left the pitch, Kerr's dangerous inswinging free-kick was met by Robinson with a firm header that bounced into the net.
Grimsby boss Russell Slade immediately replaced Rob Jones with Futcher, and it was he who restored the Mariners' aggregate lead on the hour mark.
Tom Newey's cross was headed back across goal by Gary Jones and Futcher was in the right place to turn the ball over the line.
And Slade's side made sure of victory with 10 minutes left when Curtis Woodhouse flighted in a free-kick which Gary Jones glanced home.
Lincoln become the first team to lose out in four successive play-off campaigns.
Grimsby manager Russell Slade:
"We had to work very hard. Lincoln got off to a good start and credit to them for getting ahead.
"At half-time we told the players to stay cool and calm - they stuck to their task and did very well.
"I want another look at Gary Jones' red card. He says he has done little wrong and we are considering an appeal."
Lincoln manager Keith Alexander:
"I'm very disappointed and thought we were poor from start to finish.
"Four years of failure in the play-offs is better than finishing bottom
of the league every year.
"I'm going to go away and have a good holiday which I thoroughly deserve."
Grimsby: Mildenhall, Croft, Whittle, Robert Jones (Futcher 28), Newey, Cohen (Reddy 59), Bolland, Woodhouse, Parkinson, Gary Jones, Mendes (Toner 76).
Subs Not Used: Goodfellow, Kamudimba.
Sent Off: Gary Jones (90).
Booked: Croft, Whittle.
Goals: Futcher 60, Gary Jones 82.
Lincoln City: Marriott, McAuley, Morgan, McCombe (Mayo 86), Beevers (Green 74), Kerr (Frecklington 77), Brown, Hughes, Forrester, Marvin Robinson, Yeo.
Subs Not Used: Birch, Cryan.
Booked: McCombe, Hughes, Yeo, Frecklington, Green.
Goals: Marvin Robinson 27.
Agg (3-1)
Att: 8,062
Ref: M Dean (Wirral).
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What a brilliant display!
