Marine extended their recent form to just one defeat in nine matches on Saturday, as they came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Stourbridge’s War Memorial Athletic ground.

Two excellent goals from Lewis Codling on 63 and 78 minutes levelled the match after Sean Hessey’s men had looked to be sliding to defeat, the Mariners showing plenty of fight and determination to maintain their battle against relegation.

The Glassboys had the better of the opening exchanges with Kayelden Brown and Josh Morgan-Parker proving a handful, the former seeing a goal bound shot blocked by Liam Willis.

Brown sent an angled shot wide of Matt Cooper’s far post before Jamie Menagh responded for the visitors, his cross shot being palmed away by Stour goalkeeper Lewis Solly at his far post.

The closest either side came to a first half goal came when the Mariners won a corner, Menagh sending over a decent delivery with Lloyd Ellams meeting the ball with his head, but a defender was on hand to clear off the line.

The general consensus at half time was that one goal would settle matters but things panned out rather differently, the Glassboys taking the lead on 58 minutes when Drew Canavan exchanged passes with Junior Smikle before clipping a shot past Cooper from ten yards.

Things looked bleak for the Crosby club just two minutes later when a cross from the right found Chris Lait in space in plenty of space, the winger milking his moment by converting from close range.

The Mariners needed a response and quickly, and got it through an audacious lob from Codling, the pint sized poacher seeing Solly off his line and producing a great finish over the stranded ‘keeper from 30 yards.

That was game on as the Yellows stepped up a gear, Codling netting his second when latching on to Karl Clair’s pass to beat his man on the outside, before firing home an angled drive past the grey clad gloveman to the delight of the excellent turn out of travelling support.

Codling might have grabbed a hat trick late on with Solly blocking his close range effort after hesitation in the Stourbridge defence but the homesters also went close in a breathless finale, Canavan’s low shot bringing a fine save from Cooper to his right.

The draw leaves the Mariners four points from safety with three games left, with two crucial home games on the horizon against Curzon Ashton on Tuesday (7.45pm) and next Saturday when Belper Town visit the Arriva Stadium (3pm).

Stourbridge: Lewis Solly, Drew Canavan, Chris Knight, Will Richards, Junior Smikle, Tyrone Williams, Luke Connolly, Leon Broadhurst (Cap), Kayelden Brown, Josh Morgan-Parker (Luke Benbow 85), Chris Lait (Jordan Fitzpatrick 74).

Unused subs: Josh Quaynor, Reece Hales, Dean Coleman. Cautions: None.

Marine: Matt Cooper, Steve Wainwright, James Short, Liam Willis, James Foley (Dan Fearnehough 74), Andy Nicholas (Cap), Lloyd Ellams (Carl Peers 63), Andy Owens, Jamie Menagh, Lewis Codling.

Unused subs: Tom Owens, Chad Whyte, James Mitchison (G/K). Cautions: Ellams, Clair.

Referee: Mr. Mark Howes; Assistants Mr. Malcolm Steward, Mr. Simon Lane.

Attendance: 354.