Dan Crowley of Notts County shoots through the legs of Grimsby goalkeeper Jordan Wright to scorePA Media

Dan Crowley has now scored 17 goals in 49 league appearances for Notts County

Notts County's Dan Crowley scored two goals and created another as his side beat Grimsby Town 4-1 at Meadow Lane to record their first League Two win of the season.

A teasing cross from the Magpies captain helped Alassana Jatta to steer in his third goal in three games to put the hosts in front, before Crowley ghosted in unmarked to double the advantage.

Jodi Jones then curled in a delightful chipped goal, only for Harvey Rodgers to reduce the visitors' deficit by finding the far corner.

Crowley's deflected strike added gloss to the scoreline in the second half, as Notts County moved up to fourth in the early-season table and Grimsby slipped to 16th.

The first clear chances of the night were a sign of things to come. A brilliant reaction save from Grimsby goalkeeper Jordan Wright prevented Crowley's low drive from giving the home side the lead.

But these teams shared 15 goals in their two League Two meetings last year, so it was only a matter of time until the net rippled.

Before the Mariners could draw breath, the hosts' skipper fired in a dangerous ball, which only required the slightest of touches for Jatta to turn home.

Grimsby could have equalised soon after, but Magpies keeper Alex Bass was alert enough to kick away Charles Vernam's powerful strike.

Crowley then capped off his lively opening to the game by controlling the ball with his chest and firing it into the far corner, though there was a suggestion of handball as he attempted to cushion Jones' delivery.

Jones then floated a ball in from the right which sailed over the goalkeeper and crashed in off the post, with only the menacing winger knowing if he meant it as a shot.

Harvey Rodgers' neat finish pulled a goal back for Grimsby on the stroke of half time, only for Crowley to have the last laugh in a quieter second half, as his shot spun into the goal off the helpless Mariners defender Cameron McJannet.

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