In-form Grimsby suffered a huge promotion setback after a 4-1 Blundell Park thumping at the hands of relegation battlers Dagenham on Saturday.Goals from Ross Smith (16), Dave Rainford (31 penalty & 84) and Ben Strevens (81) saw off the Mariners, who replied through Gary Jones (88).

Dagenham bossed the first half and deservedly went ahead with a downward header from centre-back Smith from Danny Foster's right-wing cross.

They increased their lead when referee Trevor Kettle spotted an infringement in the box. Nobody appealed but it appeared Jamie Clarke had impeded Strevens and Rainford stepped up to beat Phil Barnes to the keeper's right.

The visitors made it three when Strevens beat two defenders and fired home right-footed into the left-hand corner.

With the Grimsby defence in disarray, Rainford nodded home a Glen Southam corner at the near post for the fourth before Jones' consolation.

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