County made one change from the side that hammered Wrexham last Saturday. Rob Clare returned to the heart of defence in the place of the injured, Michael Raynes.

Tesfaye Bramble was injured in training and so Liam Dickinson took his place on the bench.

The Mariners meanwhile, included former County man Danny Boshell in their starting eleven whilst new loan signing James Lawson was included on their subs bench.

It was all County in the opening exchanges of the game with on loan keeper John Ruddy having nothing to do.

In almost a mirror image of last weeks match, County were awarded a penalty in the 12th minute when Peter Bore handled in the area, however this time Robbo's low shot was well saved by the Mariners keeper.

In form Le Fondre went close on the 16th minute mark when he got a touch on an Ashley Williams cross, but in the end there was not enough power to convert what was a good chance.

Some good inter-play between Poole and Murray nearly breached the Mariners defence moments later, but for a last ditch tackle from the experienced Whittle.

Seconds later the impressive Rob Clare found Le Fondre in space with a good header, but the Stockport born striker fluffed his shot. Really he should have done better.

At the other end Mark Robinson, who had earlier become the villlain following his missed penalty, made an important block to deny Gary Jones an almost certain goal.

GOAL! County went ahead with a wonder goal when Keith Briggs got on the end of a loose ball following a Mark Robinson free kick. His 25 yard shot hit the roof of the net to send the away fans into a raptuous applause. The skipper then ran 18 yards to celebrate with the fantastic County faithful.

As the first half entered its climax Keith Briggs had another effort on goal, this time with his left foot but it did not trouble the Mariner's keeper.

Moments before the whistle Poole found Murray in space but the on loan man could not put enough direction on the ball and in the end it went well over.

Second half

Gareth Owen made a wonderful block on the 51st  minute to deny Gary Jones a clear shot on goal, as the Mariners produced what was a rare chance on goal.

Grimsby got their first shot on goal in the 53rd minute when Gary Croft, without a goal for 3 years put a tame shot in on goal.

At the other end the impressive David Poole made a fantastic run and put a good shot in on goal that was only marginally wide. Seconds later Murray found Malcolm in space and the out of sorts player put a shot in that went just wide.

On the 57th minute County tried to play an off side trap following a Grimsby free kick. The linesman though kept his flag down and Gary Jones header, that was just wide nearly put Grimsby level.

Adam Proudlock nearly made an instant impact when he tried a shot from a Glenn Murray lay off but the linesman already had his flag up.

Briggs nearly grabbed his second of the afternoon when Proudlock left Newey for dead and crossed for Le Fondre who laid the ball off for Briggs, however the skippers shot went wide.

Proudlock had a chance himself seconds later but his effort was very poor.

In the dying moments Adam Griffin put a cross into the box and Glenn Murray's header went marginally wide.

In the end though, despite some Grimsby pressure County held on for a fully deserved 3 points.

County: Ruddy, Clare, Robinson, Williams, Owen, Briggs, Poole (Proudlock 69), Taylor, Murray, Le Fondre (Dickinson 87), Malcolm (Griffin 57)

Subs: Dinning, Deasy

Booked: Le Fondre

Grimsby: Barnes, Croft, Newey, Whittle, Fenton, Bore, Bolland, Taylor (Lawson 69), Jones, Ravenhill, Boshell (Beagrie 58)

Subs: Murray, Mcdermott, Toner

Booked: Fenton, Newey

Ref: R.Lee

Att: 4,708

Man of the Match: Glenn Murray. Held the front line wonderfully.