Grimsby Town 1-4 Salford City

Matt Smith hit a first-half hat-trick as Salford maintained their League Two promotion push with a comfortable win at mid-table Grimsby Town.

The visitors made a lightning start as Smith volleyed home inside 50 seconds after being picked out by his captain Ibou Touray.

Grimsby hit back through Otis Khan midway through the half as he finished a well-worked move that also involved John McAtee and summer signing Danilo Orsi.

Ethan Galbraith made it 2-1 on the half-hour mark after picking up a bad clearance from Max Crocombe before slotting into the bottom corner.

Despite their dominance, Salford needed an element of fortune for their third when Smith kicked against his standing leg to deceive stranded Crocombe.

And Smith completed his hat-trick with a trademark header five minutes before the break.

Grimsby made three changes at half-time in their unlikely attempt to salvage a route back into the game, but one low strike from McAtee aside they created little while Salford were happy to see out their victory.

Match report supplied by PA Media.