Grimsby Town have secured a spot in the final of the National League playoffs with a 2-0 win at Braintree Town this afternoon.

With the knowledge that only a win would do after being 1-0 down in the first leg, Grimsby set about exerting some pressure on their hosts from the first whistle.

Consequently, it was they that created the better of the chances during the first half, although they could not find a way past Tom King in the Braintree net.

The Millwall loanee was on hand to save Omar Bogle's downward header, while Jon-Paul Pittman could not keep his effort on target.

As for the Iron, it was not until the 50th minute that they called visiting goalkeeper James McKeown into action when Michael Cheek found some space on the edge of the box to try his luck.

However, with 15 minutes remaining, Grimsby were finally rewarded for all their domination as Josh Gowling was adjudged to have been illegally taken down inside the area by Braintree's Mark Phillips.

The league's leading goalscorer, Padraig Amond, stepped up to take the resultant penalty, which he lashed in.

By now it was one-way traffic and Bogle went ever so close to winning the tie in 90 minutes. After weaving his way beyond two challenges, the attacker bent a shot goalwards, only for a diving King to turn the ball against the posts.

Then, as extra time approached, the situation got even tougher for Braintree when they were reduced to 10 men. Phillips, who earlier had given away the penalty, was handed his marching orders for a second bookable offence.

That proved to be a pivotal turning point in the tie and the pressure finally told with 10 minutes remaining of extra time. Bogle was the hero, heading in from a free kick to secure the Mariners a place in the final for the fourth consecutive year.

Grimsby will face league runners-up Forest Green Rovers for the last remaining place in the Football League at Wembley on May 15.