Salford City took a 2-1 lead in their League Two play-off semi-final first leg against Grimsby Town. This win comes despite Grimsby having won both regular season meetings between the two sides. The last team to win both legs of an EFL play-off semi-final tie against a side who did the double over them in the regular season were Northampton Town vs Cheltenham in League Two in 2012-13.
Grimsby’s Strong Away Record
Grimsby Town have a solid record when visiting Salford City. They are unbeaten in each of their last five away games against Salford City, with three wins and two draws, since a 1-0 loss in League Two in September 2019.
Salford’s Home Form
Salford City enjoyed a strong end to the regular season at home. They stayed unbeaten and won six of their final seven home games in the League Two regular season, drawing the other. Their most recent home game saw them beat champions Bromley 2-0. The Ammies also kept more clean sheets on home turf than any other team in the fourth tier, with 10.
Grimsby’s Away Goals Prowess
Grimsby Town were a force to be reckoned with away from home this season. Only MK Dons scored more away goals in the 2025-26 League Two regular season than Grimsby Town, who bagged 33. Grimsby also picked up the most away victories in 2026 in the fourth tier, winning seven, drawing two, and losing three of their 12 away games.
Play-off History
Salford City’s only previous home EFL play-off game came against Stockport County in 2022-23. They won that first leg 1-0, but failed to reach the final after a penalty shootout loss in the second leg. Manager Karl Robinson is winless in his last three play-off home matches, with one draw and two losses.
Grimsby’s Play-off Pedigree
Grimsby Town have a good record in the EFL play-offs. They have never been eliminated at the semi-final stage, reaching the third-tier final in 1998 and the fourth-tier final in 2006. This is the first time they will have to come from behind to progress through the semi-finals, however.
Key Players
- Grimsby’s Reece Staunton scored the third-quickest goal in League Two this season in the first leg, netting after 24 seconds.
- Staunton has been involved in five goals in his last six appearances, with one goal and four assists.
- Salford’s Luke Garbutt has three assists in his last four League Two appearances.
- Across the last three seasons, Garbutt has more League Two assists than any other Ammies player, with 15.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.