After twenty minutes, Grimsby took the lead through Kevin Donovan who dribbled round the Northampton goalkeeper Andy Woodman, and struck the ball into the goal.

Donovan's spot kick was saved by Woodman to keep the game at 1–0, which remained the score at the final whistle, to see Grimsby promoted to the First Division after a single season's absence.

Grimsby finished thirteen points behind Bristol City (who were promoted in second place) and sixteen behind league winners Watford.

[2] Half an hour in, Peter Beadle scored with a penalty kick after being fouled by Ian Sampson, to give the home side the lead.

Carl Heggs put the home side ahead in the 34th minute after heading in Chris Freestone's pass back from John Frain's corner.

Fulham dominated the first half, but five minutes before half-time, they were reduced to ten men when Paul Moody was shown a straight red card for a foul on Mark Lever.

The first half ended goalless, but with less than ten minutes of the game remaining, Kevin Donovan scored past Maik Taylor to give Grimsby a 1–0 victory and a 2–1 aggregate win.

[10][11] In the matches between the sides during the regular season, both teams won their home games, with Grimsby winning 1–0 at Blundell Park in October 1997 and Northampton securing a 2–1 victory the following February at Sixfields.

[15] After twenty minutes, Grimsby took the lead through Donovan: he received a pass from Wayne Burnett, dribbled round the Northampton goalkeeper Andy Woodman, and struck the ball into the goal.

[19] Soon after the hour mark, Donovan misjudged a backpass and Freestone took possession of the ball before rounding Aidan Davison, the Grimsby goalkeeper, but missed from a tight angle.

[19] Five minute later, Paul Groves hit the Northampton crossbar but with no change the score, the match ended 1–0 and Grimsby were promoted to the First Division after a single season's absence.