Evan Khouri scored one goal and made another as Grimsby claimed a vital 2-1 win at fellow play-off hopefuls Colchester.

Khouri screwed wide from Luca Barrington’s pass for the Mariners in the first half but they went ahead with the second half barely 30 seconds old.

Khouri crossed from the byline and Kieran Green was on hand to bundle the ball over the line from close range.

Colchester equalised in the 51st minute when former Grimsby loanee Owura Edwards collected Jack Payne’s pass on the edge of the area before planting a left-foot shot into the net off the far post.

Grimsby goalkeeper Jordan Wright tipped over Arthur Read’s rasping 20-yard strike while at the other end, Matt Macey made a fine reflex save to foil Harvey Rodgers’ first-time effort as both sides searched for a winner.

Macey made another good stop to deny Barrington but Khouri scored Grimsby’s winner when he clinically fired in from Barrington’s pass after Tom Flanagan’s error, as the Mariners claimed victory.