Grimsby beat Newport County 1-0 to boost survival bid

The Exiles were downed 1-0 at windy Blundell Park as their slump continues in the run-in – they remain two points shy of last season’s tally with four games to go.

The only goal of the game came in the 33rd minute when Danny Rose exploited a mix-up between striker Offrande Zanzala and goalkeeper Nick Townsend.

More clangers followed but Townsend produced some fine saves to ensure it was a nervy three points for the Mariners, who are now five clear of the relegation zone.

County once again failed to sparkle in attack and, worryingly, they were outfought in the 50/50s by Grimsby, who followed Barrow, Colchester and Crawley in taking the spoils against Graham Coughlan’s side.

They cannot wallow – three games on the spin at Rodney Parade, starting with Accrington on Tuesday, present the opportunity to finish what has been a good season against the odds on a high.

DESPAIR: County conceded at Grimsby after a mix-up between Nick Townsend and Offrande Zanzala (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

County were boosted by Scot Bennett being declared fit to start at the heart of the defence after limping off in the first half of the loss to Crawley.

Adam Lewis made a welcome return at left wing-back with Harrison Bright getting another chance on the right while striker Luke Jephcott got a start up front.

The bench featured teenage defender Nelson Sanca, who went on to be an unused substitute for the 15th time, and young midfielder Jac Norris, who made his debut at the death.

Charles Vernam dragged a shot wide from distance for the hosts in the third minute but County did a good job in the opening exchanges of making sure the hosts couldn't build up a head of steam.

The Exiles had a touch of fortune in the 15th minute when Zanzala headed narrowly wide of his own goal from a corner as the Mariners ramped up the pressure from set pieces, including the dangerous long throws of Doug Tharme.

The visitors responded with a nice move with ex-Grimsby midfielder Bryn Morris breaking down the right and crossing for Will Evans to take a good touch and lay off to Lewis down the left.

The wing-back went for control rather than power and his shot was easily gathered by goalkeeper Jake Eastwood.

Grimsby were on top yet it was County that had the best chance in the 25th minute after breaking from one end to the other.

Jephcott held the ball up well and spread play to the left for Lewis, who whipped a cross in for Zanzala but the striker failed to hit the target with his header at the far post.

Grimsby threatened approaching the half hour when Matt Baker beaten down the right by Vernam, whose cross deflected towards goal off Kyle Jameson but Townsend gathered.

That dangerous moment was followed by a scramble in the box from a long throw as the Mariners hunted the opener, and it came in the 33rd minute.

It was a reversal of County's opener at Colchester with Grimsby profiting from miscommunication.

A long ball was flicked on and Zanzala, scorer thanks to that gift in Essex, failed to hammer the ball clear in favour of waiting for the onrushing Nick Townsend.

Instead, Rose got his toe in to prod in his 15th of the campaign with a smart finish.

CHANCE: Young defender Harrison Bright plays a ball down the flank for County (Image: Huw Evans Agency)

That was followed by a dust-up that led to yellow cards for Grimsby’s Kieran Green and County's Harry Charsley, then a powerful drive from distance by Jameson that was well held by Eastwood.

A miskick by Bennett could have been costly but Baker got back to get his skipper out of trouble as Donovan Wilson closed in on goal and the final chance of the half saw Townsend palm away a drive from the edge of the area by Liam Smith.

The pattern continued after the restart with Grimsby on the front foot to dominate territory and possession, putting the pressure on with set pieces.

Coughlan had seen enough and made a double change in the 56th minute with Omar Bogle and Seb Palmer-Houlden on for Jephcott and Zanzala.

County had their brightest moment of the half in the 59th minute when Harrison Bright rolled a dangerous ball into the box but Bogle couldn't get on the end of it.

The Exiles were lucky to still be in with a shout after 63 minutes when Jameson dithered in his own box and had a clearance blocked by the hard-working Rose.

The ball fell to Wilson and his shot on the turn was well saved by Townsend with his feet.

That was repeated two more times as Wilson failed to apply the killer blow from defensive mix-ups by Bennett and Jameson.

Townsend's heroics ensure it remained nervy despite County offering little, with a Morris free-kick over the bar from distance their only effort of note as the game entered the closing stages.

Teenager Norris came on for his senior debut with three minutes to go with Matty Bondswell also introduced down the left but there was no late drama as the Exiles’ slide continues.

Grimsby scorer: Rose.

County: Townsend, Bright, Baker, Bennett (captain), Jameson, Lewis (Bondswell 87), Morris, Charsley (Norris 87), Evans, Jephcott (Palmer-Houlden 56), Zanzala (Bogle 56).

Substitutes not used: Maxted, Sanca, Rai.

Yellow: Charsley, Jephcott, Referee: Robert Madley.

Attendance: 5,951 (113 County).