CIARAN Toner's first goal of the season couldn't stop the Mariners slipping to their opening defeat of the campaign on their first visit to Shrewsbury's New Meadow stadium this afternoon.
And on an afternoon of firsts, Ryan Bennett was sent off deep into stoppage time for a second bookable offence - the only time he's been shown a red card in his senior career so far.
After a goalless first half that Town had shaded, the home side took the lead in the 50th minute through Dave Hibbert's volley before extending their advantage nine minutes later when Michael Symes rounded off a counter-attack.
Grimsby pulled one back with Toner's penalty in the 68th minute after Newey had been fouled in the box, but Town couldn't find an equaliser, meaning the search for their first win of 2007-08 goes on.
Town made just one change to the starting XI that drew with Macclesfield last week.Danny North dropped to the bench to accommodate James Hunt as the extra man in midfield as Alan Buckley decided to go back to a 4-5-1 formation.
Justin Whittle started at centre back despite picking up a knock in training on Thursday.It had been thought that he would be replaced by new signing Dave Mulligan in today's team but instead, the New Zealand international loanee from Scunthorpe had to settle for a place on the bench.
Ryan Bennett continued at right back, with Tom Newey on the left and Nick Fenton lining up as the other centre back alongside Whittle.The midfield also had a familiar look as Peter Till was chosen on the right with Paul Bolland, James Hunt and Danny Boshell across the middle and Ciaran Toner playing on the left.Isaiah Rankin got the nod up front.
The Town subs' bench again had an attacking look about it, with Gary Jones, Peter Bore and Danny North all selected along with Mulligan and reserve goalkeeper Gary Montgomery.
Shrewsbury were looking to get their league season back on track after a 3-0 reverse against MK Dons last week had spoiled a good start that had seen wins over Lincoln City and Bradford City.
Captain Stewart Drummond, 'keeper Glynn Garner, Marc Pugh, Ben Herd and Kelvin Langmead all came back into Gary Peters' side after sitting out the Shrews' midweek Carling Cup defeat to Fulham.Stuart Nicholson and Danny Hall found themselves on the bench though as Peters again shuffled his pack.
The home side won the first corner of the game after Bennett was beaten for pace by Pugh and Whittle made a challenge.The resulting kick was comfortably claimed by Barnes.
Town's first attack saw Boshell hit a ball over the top towards Rankin.The Town striker was being played onside but unfortunately the ball ran through to keeper Garner.
The home side won a free kick on 7 minutes inside their own half for a foul by Fenton.The ball was launched into the Town box and Till had to clear for another corner, which Barnes again easily claimed.
The Mariners then got a free kick of their own after Rankin was fouled by Colin Murdoch in the ninth minute.The foul drew the first booking of the afternoon for Murdoch but the free kick was cleared.
Town had their first good chance after 11 minutes when Newey and Rankin linked up well before Newey's shot was blocked and cleared to Peter Till.The winger's shot thundered against the crossbar before the danger was cleared.
And the home side could have taken the lead themselves soon afterwards when a shot by David Hunt beat the dive of Phil Barnes but came back off the post.
Shrewsbury almost caused Town a problem in the 19th minute when a long throw from Hunt had to be cleared for a corner by Fenton.
And they won another corner three minutes later after good work by Whittle.Again, the kick came to nothing as referee Jarnail Singh blew for a foul and a free kick to Town.
Town then had a spell of possession, keeping the ball and passing it well on the perfect playing surface.
The Mariners could have opened the scoring through Rankin after 28 minutes.The striker had won a challenge inside the Shrewsbury half and the ball eventually fell to Bolland.His cross went to Rankin, who back-heeled the ball just wide of Garner's goal.
James Hunt then tried his luck with a shot from 25 yards but it was always rising and didn't trouble Garner as it went over the bar.
Town suffered a blow on 32 minutes when Paul Bolland was hurt in an aerial challenge with David Hunt.The midfielder had to go off after treatment and he was replaced by Dave Mulligan, on for his Town debut.
The Mariners had the chance to launch a counter attack after a Shrewsbury corner was cleared in the 37th minute.Rankin held the ball up well for Toner but the Northern Irishman held on to it for too long before releasing it to Till, who had strayed into an offside position.
Town broke again two minutes before the break.Rankin turned and ran, supported by Till against just one home defender.Rankin chose to pass to Till rather than go for goal and the shot was deflected for a corner.
Grimsby had the better of the later stages of the first half and looked for an opening goal before half time to reflect their pressure.
But after two minutes of stoppage time and another Shrewsbury corner, the Mariners couldn't force a breakthrough and the two sides went in level at the break.
The first action of the second period saw Shrewsbury almost open the scoring. Barnes failed to claim a cross from Hunt but as the ball was about to cross the line, Ryan Bennett stepped in to clear.
Town's joy was short lived though, as the home side did take the lead on 49 minutes.Darren Moss crossed for DAVE HIBBERT to volley past Barnes from 12 yards.It was a well taken goal and one the Town defence could do little about.
Ryan Bennett was cautioned by referee Singh soon afterwards before Town had an almost immediate chance to equalise.Rankin was played in by Till but he couldn't make the opportunity count.
Town made their second change after 56 minutes, bringing on Danny North to replace Isaiah Rankin.
The Mariners then had a free kick 30 yards out and in the centre of goal.Mulligan stepped up to take the kick but it was easily claimed by Garner.
Shrewsbury counter attacked through Ben Herd and ended the move by stretching their lead.Herd got past Newey on the Shrews' right and crossed to MICHAEL SYMES, who drilled past Barnes from 12 yards for 2-0.
Shrews boss Gary Peters made his first change after 61 minutes, with Stuart Nicholson replacing the goalscorer Symes, while Alan Buckley made his final substitution at the same time, sending on Gary Jones in place of Dave Mulligan.
Mulligan himself had been a substitute but was the midfield man sacrificed as Buckley again chose to revert to 4-4-2, as he had in previous games this season.
Town were given a lifeline five minutes later when Newey was brought down in the penalty area by David Hunt.Referee Singh pointed to the spot and CIARAN TONER stepped up to smash the kick straight down the middle and into the net.
Town were galvanised by the goal and began a spell of pressure, with long throws from Bennett proving to be dangerous.
Ciaran Toner became the second Town player to be shown a yellow card for a 69th minute foul on Kelvin Langmead.
Then the Town pressure continued when a ball over the top from Jones found Danny North.The Mariners youngster was outmuscled by Langmead, who managed to put the ball out for a corner.
Shrewsbury's next change was to bring on Danny Hall in place of David Hunt on 73 minutes.
They then won a corner on 75 minutes and almost restored their two-goal advantage.Drummond won the first ball from the kick before Langmead's header towards goal was tipped over by Barnes.
The home side were getting on top now after Town's short period of dominance following the goal.
But Grimsby continued to push forward in search of the equaliser that would preserve their unbeaten start to the season.
Dave Hibbert was replaced by Darren Kempson with three minutes to go as Shrewsbury made their final change of the afternoon.
Straight afterwards, Town won a corner when Toner's shot was deflected by Ben Herd.The ball was headed goalwards by Jones and then Whittle before it broke to Fenton, whose shot was blocked.
Shrewsbury almost made the game safe a minute later when a mix up between Fenton and Barnes allowed Nicholson in.He lobbed Barnes but saw the ball bounce wide of the Town stopper's goal.
Town went down the other end as the match moved into four minutes of stoppage time and won a corner.Toner's kick looked to be little danger to Garner but in the end he had to tip the ball over the bar for another corner.
The Mariners continued to attack and had another chance when Bennett's long throw into the box was headed by Fenton before being cleared.
The match ended on a sour note for Town though when Ryan Bennett was sent off for a second bookable offence in the last of those added minutes.He got into a tussle with Stuart Nicholson, who was also booked, as they both challenged for a ball on the Shrewsbury left.
It was a cruel end to the game for Town, who saw their unbeaten run end and must now look for their first win of the campaign at Accrington next week.
