A free-scoring match between Wimbledon and Grimsby saw the honours finish even at Selhurst Park.

Damien Francis got the final say when his goal earned the Dons a point after they bounced back from 2-0 down.

The two sides both threatened an opener before Michael Boulding put Grimsby ahead in the 36th minute and the visitors quickly got on top.

In the remainder of the first-half, the visitors restricted their hosts to only a weak Neil Shipperley shot which was easily saved by keeper Danny Coyne.

But the goalscorer did not reappear for the second period and neither did team-mate Stacy Coldicott.

The duo were replaced by Darren Mansaram and Darren Barnard, who was returning from a thigh injury.

Bizarre

Wimbledon's Francis, though, continued his personal crusade to get on the scoresheet with a volley which went over and was then also too high with a header from a Peter Hawkins corner.

However, the home side's efforts to get back on terms were undone six minutes into the second period.

Campbell added a second for Grimsby when his 30-yard strike deflected past keeper Kelvin Davis by Trond Andersen.

Francis headed a Joel McAnuff corner wide but just when it looked like it would not be Wimbledon's day, they suddenly drew level with two goals in three minutes.

The first was a bizarre one as Coyne's clearance struck Patrick Agyemang flush in the face and the ball spun into the Grimsby net.

Then Jermaine Darlington made it 2-2 after 69 minutes when he drilled the ball home with his left foot.

Campbell swiftly restored Grimsby's advantage after Mansaram had cut the ball back for him and he finished first time.

But, less than 90 seconds later Wimbledon equalised again.

Francis broke from midfield and stabbed the ball past Coyne from eight yards.

Wimbledon: Davis, Hawkins, Williams, Leigertwood, Darlington, McAnuff, Francis, Andersen, Reo-Coker, Shipperley, Agyemang. Subs: Heald, Nowland, Gray, Gier, Tapp.

Grimsby: Coyne, McDermott, Groves, Chettle, Ford, Gallimore, Coldicott, Campbell, Boulding, Livingstone, Cooke. Subs: Ward, Barnard, Soames, Mansaram, Allaway.

Referee: M Thorpe (Suffolk)