Wrexham win and are three points behind leaders Mansfield

It was a professional performance by the Reds who had only taken one point from their previous two games but still remained in contention for automatic promotion, with the damage done in the first half.

Midfielder Andy Cannon bagged a brace with two excellent finishes before leading scorer Paul Mullin converted his 18th goal of the season, and 97th since joining Wrexham, with a stunning volley.

Grimsby reduced the deficit late-on but it was a comfortable victory which took Phil Parkinson's side up to second place, three points behind Mansfield who drew 1-1 with Colchester United in the early kick-off.

But Stockport, who dropped to third, had a chance to go back above Wrexham as they faced fourth placed MK Dons in the tea-time match.

It's still tight at the top in the quest for a top-three finish and the Reds have seven games remaining.

Parkinson made three changes from the side that started the 1-0 derby defeat to Tranmere Rovers the previous weekend.

Luke Barnett came in at right wing-back for Ryan Barnett who limped off with a foot problem against Rovers while Tom O'Connor, who made his comeback as a substitute in the same fixture after recovering from a slight foot fracture, took from Luke Young in midfield.

The other change was in attack where Ollie Palmer was preferred to Steven Fletcher.

It was an attack minded substitutes bench where Fletcher was joined by another two strikers - Jack Marriott and Sam Dalby - who both scored for the reserves in midweek.

Just five minutes had gone when Wrexham took a 1-0 lead.

Cannon intercepted the ball and advanced forward before unleashing a low drive from 25 yards that found the bottom corner of the net.

Buoyed by the goal, Wrexham continued to have the upper hand and good interplay between Cannon and Bolton ended with the latter sending in a cross that was taken by keeper Harvey Cartwright.

Grimsby began to come more into the game but the blustery conditions were not helping either side.

Defences were on top but after Wrexham won possession, captain-for-the day Mullin squared to O'Connor whose effort went wide from outside the area.

Gavan Holohan had a shot blocked to earn Grimsby a corner but Wrexham made it 2-0 in the 36th minute.

Mullin won the ball in his own half and rode a couple of challenges before feeding O'Connor who played a superb pass through to Cannon and the midfielder fired past Cartwright from an acute angle.

It got even better as Wrexham scored a third goal after 41 minutes.

Jacob Mendy's effort was blocked in the area but the ball fell for Mullin who turned and smashed an stunning left-footed volley beyond Cartwright.

Wrexham continued to press and Mullin's shot was saved by the Mariners keeper, with the Reds well in control at the break.

Eoghan O'Connell couldn't keep his shot down at the start of the second half as Wrexham went straight back on the attack and Palmer's effort was easily collected by Cartwright.

There was a better chance when Mullin managed to knock the ball around Cartwright but Harry Clifton was on hand to clear the danger before the Reds' striker could convert.

Wrexham were coasting but Grimsby pulled a goal back nine minutes from time.

Substitute Arthur Gnahoua cut inside and found the bottom corner with a low drive.

Palmer immediately headed over for Wrexham after a corner wasn't cleared while Justin Obikwu fired wide from a good position at the other end after the Reds failed to clear the danger, and the visitors ran out convincing winners.

Grimsby Town (5-3-2): Cartwright; Clifton, Mullarkey, Tharme, Rogers, Hume (Wood 61); Holohan (Andrews 61), Thompson, Green (Gnahoua 61); Wilson (Pyke 73), Obikwu. Subs not used: Eastwood, Smith, Vernam.

Wrexham (5-3-2): Okonkwo; Bolton, Cleworth, O'Connell, Boyle, Mendy (McFadzean 49); Cannon (Young 71), O'Connor, Lee; Mullin (Marriott 86), Palmer (Fletcher 86). Subs not used: Howard, Tozer, Dalby.

Attendance: 7,728 (1,128 from Wrexham).