HEREFORD'S promotion party got the extra celebration it wanted with a comfortable win over mid-table Grimsby.

Goals from Ben Smith and Theo Robinson ensured that there was no danger of the celebratory champagne going flat.

Hereford boss Graham Turner made six changes for the final home game of the season.

Ryan Esson replaced injured Wayne Brown in goal and there were also recalls for Lee Collins, Robbie Threlfall, Steve Guinan, Simon Johnson and Kris Taylor.

The day was assured of a carnival atmosphere after promotion had been achieved the previous week.

A large crowd packed into Edgar Street to see the players and staff presented with their medals before the kick-off.

The initial exchanges were, as was to be expected with neither side having anything much to play for, very scrappy.

The first serious shot did not arrive until the 20th minute when Johnson raced forward from midfield to drive a 20-yard effort just wide.

But it took a fine save from Esson to prevent Grimsby from taking the lead five minutes later.

Danny Boshell received the ball on the edge of the area and his drive was heading into the bottom corner until the debutant dived to palm the ball behind.

Hereford took the lead on 35 minutes when Guinan's pass picked out Taylor who found Smith and the captain's first-time shot beat Phil Barnes.

But Hereford almost gifted the Mariners an equaliser two minutes later. Toumani Diagouraga's back pass went straight to Danny North whose shot from six yards was brilliantly pushed away by Esson.

Theo Robinson blazed over but soon made amends by seizing on a Taylor pass to slide a shot past Barnes.

Guinan should have increased the advantage on 59 minutes but his header, unmarked, from a Taylor free-kick went over from six yards.

On 72 minutes, Barnes produced an excellent save to keep out a Robinson drive and a fine save by the Grimsby keeper prevented Robinson wrapping up the win three minutes from time.

Hereford: Esson; McClenahan (Broadhurst, 79), Beckwith (McCombe, 84), Collins, Threlfall; Johnson, Smith, Diagouraga, Taylor; Guinan (Benjamin, 64), Robinson. Subs not used: Rose, Gwynne.

Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).

Attendance: 6,020.