Bignot happy ‘to go with ugly one’

GRIMSBY’S upturn in fortunes under Marcus Bignot continued as they ground out a single-goal victory.

The win at Hartlepool, courtesy of Adi Yussuf ’s first-half finish, made it ten points from 12 and comes on the back of a fine away result at Carlisle United.

The Mariners had to show some real defensive organisation to keep out Pools, who dominated possession but lacked a killer instinct in front of goal.

“It was hard fought, a different way to win a football match,’’ said Bignot.

“It was backs to the wall and we’ve said it was ugly and sometimes you have go with an ugly one. I was happy to see it through.

“All joking apart, we showed a different side to us. They dominated possession, but we had an organisation and structure and character, which is going to be massive moving forward.

“Overall we were disappointing on the ball. We are evolving and want to be better in possession, but I won’t get too frustrated because I know how we want to develop.

“We showed a lot of things we are good at with ten points from 12 now.’’

Pools had the game’s first chance on five minutes as Sean Kavanagh, signed on loan from Fulham, rolled a pass across the six-yard box, just out of reach of Billy Paynter.

The home side should have had a penalty on 17 minutes when Omar Bogle handled in the area, but referee Darren Drysdale ignored appeals.

Padraig Amond, who netted 39 times for the Mariners last season before signing for Pools, struck an early volley, but impressive keeper Dean Henderson saved well.

Yussuf, signed last week from Mansfield, netted on 35 minutes as he latched onto a sliderule pass and finished into the bottom corner.

Pools had plenty of possession, but were always let down by their final ball and their best chance of a leveller came when Kavanagh had an effort headed off the line by Shaun Pearson.

Home boss Craig Hignett said: “We played well, particularly in the second half. We controlled the game and we were the ones who were pushing. To come away with nothing is hugely frustrating.

“As far as the performance, the way the team looked and shape, we were excellent.We made enough chances. If there is a criticism it was that we were not clinical enough.

“We are struggling to put games to bed. That is something we have to work on.'”