Better - but still nothing to show for AFC Telford

Defeated they may have been, but AFC Telford United could still walk with their heads held high.

This was, quite simply, the best performance they have produced in weeks.

The Bucks oozed commitment throughout and could consider themselves mighty unlucky to come away with nothing to show for their efforts.

• See pictures from Telford's loss to Grimsby

Both Grimsby goals came in the last 10 minutes – the first created by a stunning cross from Liam Hearn and the second on the counter-attack as Telford pushed for an equaliser.

They were cruel blows for the visitors, who more than held their own in an entertaining first half and defended like lions in the second.

Grimsby came into the game famously able to boast a record as the second-most prolific home team in all of Europe – their tally of 41 being behind only Spanish giants Barcelona.

Telford, by contrast, have not won away from home since August, not that you could have told by the way they took the game to the Mariners.

Even after losing loanee Marlon Jackson inside the first 25 minutes, the Bristol City man breaking down with the same hamstring injury that has kept them out for the last two games, they kept coming forward.

Steve Jones went closest to breaking the deadlock, setting off on a mazy run that brought back memories of his stunning solo goal at Stockport last Tuesday. This time though, Grimsby goalkeeper James McKeown was equal to his effort.

The Mariners had barely got near Ryan Young's goal at the other end, the Telford defence – and Chris Blackburn in particular – proving an unbreakable barrier.

But the former Football League side picked up the tempo in the second period – a half-time rollicking from their frustrated management duo no doubt still ringing in their ears.

Scott Garner headed straight at Young within minutes of the re-start and the prolific Hearn flashed a shot across the face of goal before forcing Young into a fine diving save.

But the Bucks appeared to have weathered the storm and even briefly threatened to get back in the ascendency.

Ben Futcher – named captain in the absence of the dropped Shane Killock and the ill Jay Smith – headed wide off a corner the by the recalled Nathan Rooney.

And Chris Sharp, who had scored in each of the previous four games, forced McKeown into a block, the keeper then tipping Rooney's effort from the rebound over the bar.

Grimsby seemed then to be rocking at that stage but they transformed the game with one moment of brilliance.

It came from Hearn, who was unable to add to his sensational scoring record but turned provider with an inch-perfect cross for substitute Rob Duffy to tap in from close range just eight minutes from time.

Even then, the Bucks refused to give in as they have in some games this season, immediately setting about trying to force an equaliser.

But, as they committed ever more men forward in search of a breakthrough, they were caught on the counter-attack in the last minute.

Hearn played the ball forward to Andi Thanoj and, alongside Frankie Artus, they found themselves through two-on-two.

Thanoj played the move to perfection, drawing the defenders and slipping a fine pass to Artus, who made no mistake from 12 yards out.

It was cruel on Telford – but they will know that their determined display still represented a significant forward step.

Chris Hudson

See also:

• AFC Telford chief Andy Sinton seeks triple signing