League Two play-offs: Salford City fight back as Notts County take first-leg lead

Salford City came from behind to beat Grimsby Town 2-1 while Notts County secured a one-goal advantage over Chesterfield as the League Two play-off semi-finals got under way on Sunday.

Reece Staunton’s stunning opener gave Grimsby an early advantage, but the Ammies hit back to take a first-leg lead to the Peninsula Stadium.

At the SMH Group Stadium, Notts County secured a slender advantage after Chesterfield missed a penalty in a tense contest.

Here’s how the League Two play-off first legs unfolded.

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Grimsby Town 1-2 Salford City (first leg)

Salford fought back from behind in the first half to stun Grimsby, putting in a professional performance after the restart to maintain their one-goal lead at the halfway point of this play-off showdown.

It was an electric atmosphere in Blundell Park and a lightning start to the game at both ends, with Staunton spectacularly volleying the Mariners in front from outside the area inside the first minute.

The visitors responded quickly before the game could settle, with Dan Udoh sliding in Kallum Cesay to slot under Grimsby goalkeeper Jackson Smith in the fourth minute.

Salford completed the first-half comeback in the 40th minute – Adebola Oluwo heading in with the help of a deflection, with the hosts protesting for offside on Haji Mnoga for blocking Smith’s line of vision.

Kieran Green was played into to shoot in stoppage time, but he squandered Grimsby’s only real chance to level the tie as Salford held on to take a one-goal advantage into Friday’s return.

Chesterfield 0-1 Notts County (first leg)

Jayden Luker’s first-half strike was enough to see Notts County edge past Chesterfield in a keenly-contested play-off semi-final first leg, with the hosts missing an early penalty.

In front a sold-out crowd, there was no love lost between the two sides as the Magpies secured a narrow advantage in their pursuit of League One football.

It was an end-to-end start to the game, and Chesterfield had a golden opportunity to open the scoring after just five minutes when Liam Mandeville was tripped in the area by Lucas Ness.

But the Spireites’ leading scorer, Lee Bonis, saw his spot-kick cannon off the base of a post.

The Magpies made Chesterfield rue the miss when Luker fired home Tom Iorpenda’s low cross in the 28th minute.

The game continued at an electric pace after the break, with Alassana Jatta seeing his effort blocked, while Tom Pearce and Janoi Donacien came close for the hosts.

Despite large swathes of possession, Chesterfield failed to produce anything to trouble James Belshaw, as County took a lead back to Meadow Lane ahead of Friday’s second leg.

League Two play-off semi final first-leg scores

Grimsby Town 1-2 Salford City
Chesterfield 0-1 Notts County

Second-leg fixtures

Salford City vs Grimsby Town – Friday 15 May, 7.15pm
Notts County vs Chesterfield – Friday 15 May, 8pm

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