All Square Against the Leaders

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 04/10/2015

GRIMSBY and Forest Green shared a draw in an ill-tempered game at Blundell Park. Town took the lead thanks to a spectacular finish from Jon-Paul Pittman. However Parkin drew the visitors ahead just before the break with a trademark powerful run into the box and strike.

Paul Hurst stuck with the side which beat Southport 4-0 which meant that Bogle and Amond were once again on the bench, and Jon-Paul Pittman and Tomlinson were given the starting berths.

Town started nervously and almost paid the price when a defensive mix up allowed the ball to run right across the face of their goal but fortunately no Rovers player was on hand to tap it in.

Tomlinson missed a good chance after good work by Pittman on the right saw the ball played to the on-loan striker unmarked in prime position. However the pass was slightly long and the industrious Tomlinson slipped in attempting to stretch for the ball.

Grimsby were soon in front though thanks to a solo goal from Jon-Paul Pittman. The ball was played to him in box by Robertson, and Pittman swivelled and volleyed the ball past Maxted to give Town the lead.

That lead didn't last long though however as Town gave the ball away in midfield and Forest Green played it through to Parkin, still with a lot to do. The big striker shrugged off Robertson though and blasted an unstoppable drive past McKeown to level the game.

The first half ended 1-1, a fair score between two evenly matched sides.

Tomlinson should have scored near the start of the second half but volleyed into the side-netting from Mackreth's cross.

Hurst brought on Bogle, Marshall and Padraig Amond and Amond did get the ball in the net but play was pulled back as the ref had failed to give Town advantage following a Forest Green foul.

The game drifted to a 1-1 draw that both sets of players seemed to accept as the match reached its conclusion. The Mariners more than matched an expansively assembled team and might have won had Tomlinson's chances fallen to a more prolific striker.

Grimsby remain seven points behind Forest Green and the Mariners face Gateshead on Tuesday night for another huge match

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