FC Halifax Town: Grimsby preview

Grimsby are third in the table and already look a good bet for a play-off place, while Halifax are now back in the relegation zone after Boreham Wood won 2-0 at Braintree in midweek.

Town failed to score for the first time under Jim Harvey in their defeat to Forest Green last week.

That defeat was their first since losing 6-3 to Braintree in November, while it’s now six games since Halifax scored more than once in a match

Only Torquay have won fewer home league games than Halifax in the National League

Grimsby have only lost once in their last 12 league games and have scored 17 goals in their last seven games,

The Mariners have also only lost twice in their last 19 games in all competitions - winning 13.

They have the best defensive record away from home in the division, with only Wycombe and Plymouth conceding fewer league goals on the road in the country, while Halifax have the worst home defensive record.

Only Cheltenham have scored more goals in the Conference, while only Cheltenham and Forest Green have won more league games.

Striker Padraig Amond is the division’s joint top-scorer with 21 goals, with only Leyton Orient’s Jay Simpson scoring more league goals in the top five divisions.

Almond bagged a hat-trick as Grimsby battered Town 7-0 in the return fixture back in October - The Shaymen’s heaviest defeat since being thrashed 7-0 at Macclesfield in March 1996.

Amond has failed to score in his last three appearances, only the second time he has gone that long without finding the net this season, but did manage seven in his last five matches before then.

The teams drew 1-1 at The Shay last season, with Grimsby not winning at Halifax since a 2-1 victory back in August 1978.