SHAUN PEARSON admits Grimsby Town will be big underdogs against former club Wrexham but the centre-back is targeting a second away win in a week to reach the National League play-off final.

The Mariners booked their place in Saturday’s semi-final clash after Monday’s 2-1 victory at Notts County in the eliminator tie.

Although County took the lead, Grimsby midfielder Gavan Holohan scored a 96th minute equaliser to take the game to extra-time and Emmanuel Dieseruvwe snatched a winner in the dying seconds to complete an unlikely comeback for Paul Hurst’s side.

Pearson, an unused substitute, now heads back to Wrexham who finished runners-up behind champions Stockport County with the winners advancing to the final at West Ham United's London Stadium on June 5.

"It is like a cup final, it's a one-off game," said Pearson, a huge fans' favourite who spent three seasons at Wrexham before rejoining Grimsby last summer.

"Being realistic, Wrexham are probably the favourites going into it with the amount of money they have spent and stuff like that but anything can happen in the play-offs.

"If we can give a good account of ourselves then hopefully we can give ourselves a good chance."

Pearson feels Wrexham are bigger favourites to progress against Grimsby than Notts County were.

"Notts County were probably slight favourites. I think it will be a little bit different on Saturday," said Pearson.

"I think Wrexham will be pretty heavy favourites for the game realistically.

"We will prepare the best we can and give ourselves the best opportunity possible."

Grimsby's clash with County was heading for a penalty shoot-out before scoring the last-gasp winner to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Despite an epic clash lasting 120 minutes, Pearson says the Mariners will be refreshed for another big game at Wrexham.

"Wrexham were probably licking their lips watching that with us going to extra-time. Both teams going hell for leather," added the defender.

"But it is what it is. We have got a few days now to rest and recover.

"Hopefully we can find enough to find another way of winning the game and get to the final."