A first-half brace from teenage forward Luca Barrington earned Grimsby their fourth league win in five games with a 2-1 victory at Salford.

The 19-year-old on loan from Brighton netted after just 55 seconds to give Grimsby an ideal start.

Cole Stockton levelled after 15 minutes, but Barrington’s second goal just before the break secured victory for the visitors.

It was a flying start from the Mariners as Barrington slotted the ball between the legs of Salford goalkeeper Jamie Jones inside the opening minute.

Just seconds after Conor McAleny’s rifled shot was saved by Jackson Smith, Salford equalised as Stockton rose highest to nod home Kelly N’mai’s perfect cross.

Grimsby retook the lead on the stroke of half-time when Barrington’s effort took a huge deflection off Salford defender Stephan Negru and completely wrong-footed Jones.

Salford twice struck the woodwork in their pursuit of a second-half equaliser, with both Ossama Ashley and Junior Luamba seeing efforts strike a post as Grimsby held on.