Stockley and McAlinden on mark as Exeter see off Grimsby

Exeter made light work of Grimsby as they cruised to a 2-0 win at St James Park.The opening quarter saw nothing in the way of chances as both sides struggled to adapt to the rain and swirling wind.However, the deadlock was broken after 28 minutes when Lee Holmes curled in a cross from the left wing and Jayden Stockley arrived at the back post to guide the ball home from close range.Exeter went close again when Pierce Sweeney benefited from a fortunate ricochet, but his 25-yard shot fizzed narrowly over the crossbar.Grimsby came close to an equaliser when Sam Jones headed goalwards from six yards, but Christy Pym made a brilliant one-handed stop to divert the ball over.Luke Summerfield dragged a shot well wide of goal for Grimsby early in the second half, but Liam McAlinden doubled Exeter's lead in the 53rd minute with a beautiful curling shot from 15 yards after being played in by Hiram Boateng.Grimsby offered little in attack and Exeter could have added more with Stockley heading over from a McAlinden cross and then firing high in stoppage time.