A Nathan Arnold brace has given Grimsby Town a 2-1 win away at Eastleigh in their Conference Premier playoff semi-final first leg at the Silverlake Stadium.
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Paul Hurst's charges were quickest off the starting blocks as Scott Brown whipped a cross in towards Shaun Pearson, but the defender struck his header over the bar.
That miss wouldn't prove too costly for Grimsby because they went on to take the lead just moments later, Nathan Arnold latching on to a loose ball 20 yards out and lofting a half-volley over Ross Flitney and into the Eastleigh net.
The Mariners had several chances to add to their tally following their goal as Arnold charged into the box and forced a save from Flitney, before Ollie Palmer fired against the post from six yards out.
Eastleigh managed to keep Grimsby at bay as the game went on and began to exert pressure of their own in the latter stages of the first half, but weren't able to find an equaliser come the break.
The hosts picked up from where they left off after the restart and levelled proceedings just after the hour, Yemi Odubade scoring with a simple tap-in after Jai Reason's free kick was knocked back across goal.
Grimsby, however, were soon in front again courtesy of another great strike from Arnold in the 78th minute, as the attacker flicked the ball beyond two opposition defenders and rifled into the top corner from long range.
The Mariners made the most of their momentum by nearly scoring a third, Craig Clay's curling effort forcing a save from Flitney, before Eastleigh countered with an Odubade drive that flew just wide.
Flitney was responsible for keeping his side in the tie as he then kept out a stinging Lenell John-Lewis shot in the 87th minute after the striker got on the end of a ball over the Eastleigh defence.
Five minutes of injury time were played out, but the hosts couldn't muster up a second equaliser as the game finished with Grimsby taking a slight advantage into the second leg back at Blundell Park on Sunday.
Giuseppe Labellarte
