HARRIERS could do little to halt Grimsby Town's relentless charge towards the National League promotion places after a 1-0 defeat at Blundell Park.

Boss Dave Hockaday made just one change to the side that had won 2-0 at home to Aldershot Town two weeks prior - Matthew Barnes-Homer was restored to the starting line-up having missed out against his parent club, Matthew Young dropping out of the squad altogether.

If the visiting brief was to frustrate the Mariners then, in the opening stages, Hockaday's men were doing their jobs well as the played their way through the home ranks and created the first real chance of the game arrive after just eight minutes when James McQuilkin's shot was met by Ben Whitfield's header at the far post, an effort that James McKeown was able to hold.

The hosts then managed to gather themselves a little more and asked Harriers a few more questions - after a Craig Disley worked Dean Snedker at close range, the half-hour mark saw the goalkeeper make a fine save to keep out a far-post header from Nathan Arnold that looked set for the back of the net.

Harriers started the second half in a strong fashion and forced their opposition into a succession of deep throw ins and, latterly, a corner - midfielder Dino Fazlic eventually wrapping his foot around the ball and shooting just wide.

Grimsby then turned up the pressure themselves and asked some serious questions of their own - Snedker having to be alert and sharp on his reactions to gather balls in to the area.

He was beaten before the hour mark, though, when Padrick Amond's well-taken shot from a set-play sailed towards the goal, only for Town's former Harrier, Josh Gowling, to unwittingly take it away from the target.

The pressure told, though, and around the 65th minute they broke the deadlock as a slip on the edge of the area allowed Townsend the time and freedom to cross, Amond with the near-post header, a composed finish inside the near post.

Harriers had chances to level as Hockaday made changes from the bench; Singh forced McKeown in to save before supplying Whitfield whose fine shot clipped the post and bounced away.

Harriers: Snedker, Hodgkiss, Langmead, Howkins, Francis-Angol, Fazlic, Whitfield, Maxwell (Rowe Turner 75), McQuilkin, Murphy (Jones 65) Barnes-Homer (Singh 70).

Subs not used: Brown, Forsyth.

Grimsby: McKeown, Tait, Gowling, Disley. Amond (Alabi 77) Monkhouse, Clay, Jones (Bogle 64), Arnold (Pitman 87), Nsiala, Townsend.

Subs not used: Pearson, Henderson, Henderson.

Attendance: 3,894 (77 away)

Referee: Simon Bennett