Match Report by David Elliott at Blundell Park
Gary Jones struck five minutes from time to give Grimsby Town victory over Lincoln City in this lunchtime clash at Blundell Park.
The Mariners had dominated the game against their Lincolnshire rivalsbut hadn't managed to convert good chances into goals until Jones' 85th minute header sealed the points and completed Town's first league double of the season.
Jones was the quickest to react after visiting keeper Ben Smith lost control of the ball after appearing to claim it following a Danny Boshell free kick.
Town had the better of proceedings, with Nick Hegarty getting forward down the left and sending crosses into the area but with no end product.
Lincoln never managed to create any real trouble for Phil Barnes, who hardly had a save to make all afternoon.
And Scott Kerr was sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time, adding to the visitors' miserable afternoon and leaving them in more trouble at the wrong end of League Two, while the Mariners continue to edge clear of the drop zone.
Town made two changes from Wednesday's home loss to Accrington.One was forced, with Rob Atkinson coming in for the suspended Nick Fenton at centre back, while Danny North was brought in for Jones in attack.
Phil Barnes continued in goal behind a back five as Alan Buckley continued to use the 5-3-2 formation that had delivered three wins from Grimsby's previous six league games.
Sam Hird played on the right of that backline with Ryan Bennett and Tom Newey joining Atkinson in the centre and Hegarty on the left.
The midfield three were Paul Bolland, Boshell and James Hunt and Martin Butler lined up as the second striker alongside North.
Andy Taylor made a return to the bench after being sidelined through illness.He was joined by Gary Montgomery, Justin Whittle, Peter Till and Gary Jones.
Lincoln City made the short trip along the A46 with a similar recent record to Town's.Peter Jackson's side also suffered a 2-1 reverse on Boxing Day, going down to a late winner at Bradford.
But the Imps could also boast three wins from their previous six league outings, showing signs of a recovery after they went 15 games without a win.
Former Mariner Jamie Forrester was likely to be the danger man as far as Grimsby's hopes of victory went.The prolific striker scored City's goal when Town won 2-1 in the corresponding fixture at Sincil Bank in September.
Another one to watch in the visitors' line-up would be Lee Frecklington.The midfield playmaker shrugged off an injury from the trip to Valley Parade to start the match in the centre of the park.
And on-loan Lincoln goalkeeper Smith was familiar with Town and Blundell Park before the game as he was between the sticks for Doncaster Rovers when Grimsby knocked them out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy last month.
Neither side threatened in front of goal in a quiet opening to the game but Lincoln, playing with a strong wind at their backs, had the better of the first five minutes.
Town won their first corner on ten minutes.Keeper Smith got a hand to Boshell's inswinger from the left before Bolland's return ball from the right was cleared.
Then Hegarty made a run down the left before his low cross was cut out for another corner by Lee Beevers.
This time, the first attempt was cleared to Boshell and Butler got in a powerful header that was tipped around the post by Smith.
Grimsby were beginning to stamp their authority on the game now, having settled after the first five minutes.
Most of the play was now in the Lincoln half, with Town pinning their opponents back and looking dangerous from corners.
Hegarty was able to hit another first-time cross from the left on 17 minutes but it beat Butler and ran out for a throw in after Hird failed to keep the ball in play.
Lincoln's first attempt at goal saw Louis Dodds turn and shoot from just outside the box.It didn't force Barnes into action though, clearing the crossbar and sailing into the sizeable travelling support.
The Imps then won a free kick on the right for handball against Newey.Atkinson headed clear before Hird completed the clearance for a throw in.
Lincoln won their first corner on 26 minutes.Hunt miscued from Scott Kerr's kick and more hesitancy from the Mariners defence ensued before Bolland cleared for a throw.
The away side had another corner after Lennell John-Lewis looked to get round Bennett.
Town cleared it to North, who had acres of space to carry the ball over the halfway line.Hegarty got forward in support but North held onto it for too long before finally passing.
By then though, City had got numbers back and the chance was gone, much to the visible dismay of Alan Buckley.
Soon afterwards, another low Hegarty cross fell for Hird at the far post but his effort was cleared off the line for another Town corner.
Adie Moses then shot well over the bar from 30 yards for the visitors before Hegarty had a penalty appeal turned down when he appeared to be tripped on 35 minutes.
A minute later, Hegarty crossed from the left again and another shot from Hird at the far post was cleared for a corner.
Grimsby were firmly in control at the 40-minute mark with much of the game being played inside the Lincoln half.But despite this dominance of territory and possession, Town had not shown enough of a threat in front of goal.
Lincoln had a corner with two minutes of the half remaining but again, it didn't trouble Barnes, the move ending with an overhead shot by Hamza Bensherif that went comfortably over from 20 yards.
One extra minute was added before Premier League referee Lee Mason ended a half in which Town had been the better side.Hegarty had looked dangerous down the left but Buckley would be looking for his side to convert the crosses from the wideman into goals.
The first action of the second half saw Hegarty concede a corner a minute after the restart.Frecklington's kick cleared everybody and went out for a throw.
Then Forrester won another corner for his side as the Imps started purposefully.The corner was cleared to Dodds, whose shot was blocked by Bennett.
At the other end, penalty appeals were heard from the Main Stand after Hegarty pulled the ball back for Hird to shoot.The attempt was blocked, with 'handball' the cry from the home supporters.
Then Hegarty and Bolland combined but the pass from the midfielder was just too far in front of Butler inside the area.
Hird had the ball inside the box again on 53 minutes when he was picked out by Butler.The defender tried to pull it back for Hunt but Smith was there to gather.
Town won a free kick on the left for handball against Nat Brown a minute later.Boshell sent the ball towards the far post for Atkinson but he headed just over.
Lincoln almost had a good chance on the hour when Forrester carried the ball forward before picking out John-Lewis.But he couldn't control it and what had looked promising ended in a throw to Town.
Scott Kerr then fired well over the bar from 30 yards after a free kick had been cleared.
Kerr became the first of the afternoon to see Mr Mason's yellow card for a foul on the Grimsby right.
Town made their first change soon afterwards, with Gary Jones replacing Danny North on 65 minutes.
And he made an immediate impact, flicking a header down for Butler inside the box that brought about a Mariners corner.
Lincoln won a 70th minute free kick in a dangerous position on the edge of the box for a foul by Bennett, who was booked for the challenge.
Frecklington's shot cannoned off the Town wall before Newey eventually put the ball out for a throw.
That was the signal for Grimsby to make their second change, with Andy Taylor coming on in place of Butler.
Lincoln boss Peter Jackson made a substitution at the same time as Ollie Ryan replaced Dodds.
Taylor nearly benefited from a Jones flick-on almost straight away before Jones himself failed to control a long ball into the area.
Hird was the next to be booked as Mr Mason brandished his 63rd yellow card of the season so far before a Hird cross was deflected for a corner.Boshell's outswinger was easily claimed by Smith.
Frecklington was then replaced by Jamie Hand as City made their second change of the game.
Taylor won a corner on 82 minutes after he had been played in by Boshell.After clearing everybody from Boshell's kick, Hegarty retrieved the ball and put it back into the danger zone.Hird appeared to be caught in two minds 25 yards out, not knowing whether to pass or shoot and in the end, he did neither and the ball ran out for a goal kick.
Then, with just five minutes to go, Town took the lead.
The Mariners won a free kick inside the Lincoln half and Boshell's delivery seemed to be easy for Smith to claim.But after catching the ball, it slipped from his grasp and there was JONES to nod the loose ball home from close range.
Town nearly had a second when Hird latched onto a loose ball in the corner.He pulled it back for Hegarty but it was cleared for a corner before he could pull the trigger.
As the game moved into stoppage time, Kerr was shown his second yellow card for a foul by the touchline at the Carlsberg Stand side.
Town looked to keep the ball in the corner for the three additional minutes but Lincoln brought it clear and won a free kick just inside their own half.Barnes claimed it after Smith's long ball.
It proved to be the away side's last chance to get something from the game and as Mr Mason blew for full time, the relief was evident on the faces of the Mariners players as they celebrated what may prove to be a priceless three points.
