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But the final score line was probably rough justice on bottom of the table Torquay who played some neat football but lacked any cutting edge.
It was Torquay's defensive lapses that proved their undoing as they tended to panic under pressure.
The visitors had opened brightly knocking the ball about confidently as they tried to build on last week's first win against Shrewsbury.
But the Mariners gradually took a grip on things and built up ahead of steam as half time approached.
Grimsby gained their reward three minutes before the break, when a free kick was not cleared, and central defender Robert Jones lashed home a fierce left footer that gave keeper Andy Marriott no chance.
The veteran keeper had made some good saves to keep his side in the game, but was blameless for Grimsby's opener.
The second half had a similar pattern with Torquay opening brightly and Grimsby's 1-0 lead looked a little shaky until Reddy took a firm grip on proceedings.
On 65 minutes the Torquay defence was court out by a ball over the top and Reddy burst clear, rounded the keeper and put the ball into the empty net.
If Torquay still had a slight chance of gaining a point that disappeared 10 minutes later when Reddy scored a fine third goal.
The Irish striker gained the ball in his own half and a 70-yard run took him deep into the Torquay box and ended with a fine shot into the bottom corner.
At this point the home fans could relax and on hearing that over night leaders Notts County were trailing 2-0 at Shrewsbury, the Grimbsy fans chanted "top of the league", and "bring on Tottenham" who are the Carling cup visitors on Tuesday evening.
Grimsby may have been distracted by thoughts of the Tottenham tie, but they completed a professional performance as they gained only their second home win of the season.