Part-timers Braintree Town took a big step towards securing themselves a place in the Football League thanks to their 1-0 victory away at Grimsby Town this evening.

The win, which came in the first leg of the National League playoffs semi-final, means that Danny Cowley's men are now just 90 minutes away from a date at Wembley.

The first half at Blundell Park was a relatively mundane affair, with neither goalkeeper called into any telling action.

However, within eight minutes of the restart, the visitors from Essex had broken the deadlock.

Simeon Akinola was adjudged to have been hauled down inside the area by Josh Cowling, and Kenny Davis stepped up to convert the resultant penalty from 12 yards out.

Grimsby's best chance of an equaliser fell to Padraig Amond in the 65th minute, but from close range the league's top scorer was denied by Braintree goalkeeper Tom King.

The two sides will now meet again for the second leg at the Avanti Stadium on Sunday afternoon.