Charles Vernam rejoined Grimsby for a second spell in 2023
Kieran Green struck at the death to earn Grimsby Town a 2-1 win against Newport County in League Two.
The Mariners recorded their second success of the season at Blundell Park thanks to their captain putting Evan Khouri's ball in from close range in added time.
Grimsby had taken the lead in the first minute when Newport striker Courtney Baker-Richardson deflected Green's header into his own net.
Jaze Kabia had a golden chance to extend the lead in the 19th minute but saw his penalty saved by Nik Tzanev, who pulled off a string of stops in the first half.
Grimsby suffered more frustration when Justin Amaluzor was denied by the woodwork early in the second half and they were hit by a Newport sucker punch in the 55th minute when centre-back Matt Baker acrobatically equalised from Michael Reindorf's cross.
On-song Tzanev prevented Cameron McJannet from a swift response but Newport were denied a hard-earned point in added time, suffering a first league defeat under new manager David Hughes.
What they said
Newport County boss David Hughes told BBC Sport Wales:
"In the first half Grimsby were very, very good and we hung in the game.
"We thought that we had weathered the storm and knew we would get better than we were in the first half, and we did.
"But the goal was so avoidable, that's the disappointment of it."
Artell: 'The performance warranted a win'
Hughes: We ‘gifted’ them the winner in the end
