City got the game underway and were quickly on the attack as Shane Nicholson won a free-kick. Former Grimsby target, Scott Kerr, sent in the ball but it was easily held by Barnes. The goalkeeper almost gifted the Imps the lead when he headed the ball clear and it fell straight to Forrester, he tried to chip the keeper but hit it straight against a defender and it went out for a throw in. Lee Beevers was the next to try his luck but his shot went miles over as City were controlling the early parts of the match.
On loan Grimsby star, Martin Paterson thought he'd won the opportunity to do what Chester did last week and score with their first chance. He ran into the area and was tackled by Paul Morgan, the attacker went down whilst doing a fantastic impression of Didier Drogba, referee Mike Riley waved play-on. Grimsby's first shot came via Isaiah Rankin as he broke clear but Marriott came out and smothered the ball at his feet.
From a corner, City won a throw in, Amoo crossed the ball into the box and it hit Whittle in the arm but Riley again waved play-on. Barnes was breathing a sigh of relief as a Scott Kerr volley went just inches wide of his goal from 25 yards. Beevers headed a Frecklington corner over. Then came one of the more curious incidents of the game, Lee Frecklington was fouled and was yet yellow carded, meaning his will miss the game at Peterborough next week.
Grimsby's first corner was cleared by Beevers before Eaden cleared another corner. With the half grinding to an end, Grimsby almost took the lead when Pulis shot with his back to the ball but luckily Marriott's position was good enough for him to catch the ball. It appeared that the game would go in goalless at half time before City won a free kick. Beevers headed it towards Forrester and he turned and shot from close range and the ball went into the net and the home fans went mental.
Gary Jones was booked for fouling Forrester on the edge of the area, from the resulting free kick, Nicholson shot and only a fine save from Barnes prevented it from being 2-0. Grimsby were counting their luck again as from the corner, Beevers again headed it goal wards only for it to be blocked and falling to Martin Gritton, he shot powerfully but it hit a defender and went out for a throw in and that was the final incident of the first half.
Grimsby kicked off the second half but it started slowly with Grimsby having the first realistic chance when Nicholson fouled Paterson. The free kick was weak and it went straight to Marriott. Frecklington should have made it 2-0 when he broke forward but he's shot blocked by Jones and went out for a corner. Harkings replaced Bore for Grimsby before Paul Morgan (not a misprint) headed the ball towards goal and only a clearance on the line prevented the defender from getting his 3rd goal in 5 years for the Imps.
Just after the hour mark, Michael Reddy replaced Nick Hegarty for the visitors, Gary Jones turned from defender to attacker as Buckley tried to inspire his team to a result, however, that was thrown out of rhte window within a minute as Gary Jones swung and elbow at Nicky Eaden and was given his second yellow card. It could have been 3 red cards in as many minutes as Rankin and Kerr started fighting but the referee didn't' book either. Rankin was quickly raplced by Boshell.
City won a throw in and Nickey Eaden found Gritton, he flicked on to Lee Frecklington and he wasted no time as he blasted the ball into the top of the net and it was 2-0 to the Imps who seemed destined to win at home on a Saturday for only the second time since the 5-0 win over Grimsby in March. Gary Croft was booked for the visitors before Jeff Hughes returned from injury as he replaced Shane Nicholson.
Ironic cheers greeted the Imps as City put together a 22 pass move that eventually ended with the ball going out of place. Adie Moses came on for Nat Brown and Kerr was replaced by Birley. The game petered out after this but Beevers headed deep into injury time was cleared off the line and that was the final action of a game where City should have really won by more than 2 goals.