Kieran Green’s wonder goal from inside his own half could not inspire League Two play-off hopefuls Grimsby to victory as Harrogate struck twice late on to salvage an unlikely 2-2 draw.

Collecting the ball just a handful of yards short of the halfway line, the midfielder spotted home keeper James Belshaw out of his goal and aimed a perfectly flighted effort over his head and into the net.

Green was joined on the scoresheet by Iceland international Jason Dadi Svanthorsson as the Mariners entered the interval in full control.

But Ellis Taylor reduced the deficit after 85 minutes and, moments later, Toby Sims secured a share of the spoils.

The comeback meant Harrogate extended their unbeaten home run to nine games and left them nine points clear of the relegation zone, with seventh-placed Grimsby one point above Colchester.

Earlier, Josh March had seen a shot cleared off the line by Harvey Rodgers before Green’s magical moment in the 39th minute.

The Sulphurites almost hit back immediately when Taylor struck an upright and March could not convert from the rebound.

But Svanthorsson doubled the visitors’ lead in the fourth minute of first half stoppage time, thumping a half-volley into the roof of the net from 15 yards after Jasper Moon had headed out Doug Tharme’s long throw from the left.

Taylor, though, handed Harrogate a lifeline when he took one touch as the ball fell to him 15 yards from goal and then curled brilliantly into Jordan Wright’s top-right corner.

Right-back Sims then headed Taylor’s left-wing corner towards goal after 87 minutes and Danny Rose could only help it into the Grimsby net.