Grimsby Town 1 - 5 Doncaster Rovers: John Marquis hat-trick inspires Doncaster to thumping win at Grimsby

Posted Saturday, April 01, 2017 by PA

A hat-trick from John Marquis did the damage as champions-in-waiting Doncaster thumped Grimsby 5-1.

Marquis' treble was added to by Andy Williams and a late goal which was claimed by substitute Alfie May but could have equally have gone down as an own goal.

After an even half an hour, Grimsby took the lead when Sam Jones drifted across the box and fired into the bottom corner.

But Doncaster were level three minutes later when Williams dummied a low ball into the box, leaving Town's defence playing statues and Marquis took a touch and slotted home.

Marquis grabbed his and Doncaster's second goal in five minutes when he powered in a superb header to give the visitors a half-time lead.

It was three just after the hour when one flick beat Town's entire back four - with most appealing for offside - and the superb Marquis burst through and fired home unerringly to complete his hat-trick.

Williams grabbed Rovers' fourth when he twisted and turned before firing home from a tight angle and the misery was completed when the fifth was bundled home from a corner after an unconvincing punch by Town goalkeeper James McKeown.