As 2008 begins to draw to a close Shrewsbury Town will, by and large, reflect on 12 months of sustained progress and development. 

But they look set to end the year without solving what could prove the defining conundrum in their attempts for promotion.

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How can a team which so freely dismantle teams at home have such a struggle for victories on their travels?

Defeat at Grimsby on a chilly, miserable afternoon ensured an entire calendar year has now passed with Shrewsbury registering just one away League victory. 

Since triumphing at Accrington on December 22, 2007, the only three-point return has arrived at Exeter in August. 

It’s now just nine points from 10 away games this term, and history dictates that few teams with such lowly returns on their travels celebrate promotion. 

It should be remembered that Shrewsbury have only lost three games away from the Prostar Stadium – drawing the vast majority – and remain third in the table, locked in the centre of the fight to ensure an automatic rise to League One. 

But manager Paul Simpson will be only to aware a sustained bid for promotion could be undermined unless the number of away victories steadily rise. 

On the balance of play, Shrewsbury deserved to return from a miserable day at Cleethorpes with some reward. 

But it is the result which matters most and Grimsby were able to reflect on a first home League success in more than nine months. 

Both sides were to have their spells during a first half in which the visitors stoutly defended the elements. 

Backed by a strong wind, Grimsby made the more purposeful start but Town’s backline stood firm, the only major heart-stopping moment arriving when Matthew Gilks produced a superb one-handed save to keep out a rasping drive from Liam Trotter. 

As the first half progressed, so Shrewsbury began to impose their game on the encounter, retaining the ball impressively in the run-up to the interval. 

Grant Holt would have been disappointed not to have hit the target with a chance from the right edge of the area, while Jamie White failed to exploit rare space as it opened up for the on-loan forward on one occasion. 

Ben Davies also went close with two free-kicks, but if Town’s hardy travelling support were hoping their side would carry that momentum into the second period, they were to be disappointed. 

Despite playing with a strong wind, Shrewsbury failed to sustain pressure on the goal of their struggling hosts after the interval.

And the match was to effectively decided in three key minutes just after half-time. 

Somewhat inevitably, it was to be a Shropshire-born forward who proved Shrewsbury’s undoing. 

Adam Proudlock, a rumoured target for Gary Peters at the start of the year, may have had as fair share of well-documented troubles during his career, but he remains capable of finishing a chance when it comes his way.

And he impressively swivelled and fired a shot in off the underside of the crossbar from 15 yards to give his side the lead. 

If Shrewsbury were rocked onto their heels, they didn’t show it immediately and a brief flurry from the visitors followed Proudlock’s opener. 

Holt flicked a header wide of the post from a Shane Cansdell-Sherriff’s cross, but the best chance was to fall to White who dragged a golden opportunity wide from 12 yards after being sent through by his strike partner. 

But Shrewsbury couldn’t muster the necessary creativity or ball retention to maintain the assault and Grimsby were able to secure a notable victory with a relatively nerveless conclusion. 

They now have two games – against Brighton in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy and leaders Wycombe in the League – to get back on track before Christmas. 

And, with the away form continuing to irritate, there will be some relief that both games will be played at the Prostar Stadium, a ground where Town have been so impressive this term.