GRECIANS HAVE SPOT OF BOTHER
GRIMSBY Town boss Michael Jolley was delighted to see his side continue their mini unbeaten run against title contenders Exeter.
In a goalless game at Blundell Park, the Mariners had long-serving stopper James McKeown to thank for preserving a point.
He produced a fantastic penalty save after going toe to toe with Pierce Sweeney, and it proved to be a telling moment as the free-scoring Grecians were contained.
Jolley said: “It was a good game of football.
“You could say it was a classic game of two halves. I thought we were the better side in the first half, and we had some good chances.
“In the second half, I think we saw why Exeter are doing so well in the league. They are a good side.
“We saved a penalty, which is credit to our goalkeeper – but even at the end we had some moments where we might have grabbed something more. I think we could have gone in 1-0 up, and for us that would have been a real plus. We kept our shape very well, and it was an even game overall. A point was probably a fair result.
“We are now three unbeaten with three clean sheets, and seven points out of nine.”
Genuine chances were few and far between in the opening stages, although Grimsby did go close when Wes Thomas carved out an opportunity for himself.
Lee Holmes nodded just wide at the other end, while Charles Vernam was unlucky to see his effort cannon back off a post. Jonathan Forte also went close, but the sides were locked goalless at the break.
After the restart, Forte struck a post with a snap shot, before McKeown came to the rescue with a superb penalty save from Sweeney.
Exeter are now unbeaten in eight league games, while Grimsby have taken seven points from a possible nine.
Exeter manager Matt Taylor added: “It was a good away performance. The only thing we were lacking was a goal. I thought we created enough chances, certainly in the sec- ond half, to maybe take one of those and win the game.
“We were unlucky in front of goal, and their goalkeeper has obviously made a good save with the penalty.
“When your chances don’t go in, you have got to be resilient to make sure you get a clean sheet. It’s always a starting point away from home, so I was pleased with that.
“In the second half, I thought we were excellent. Our defending has been good this season, but we don’t have as many clean sheets as I would like. “When you go away from home you want a clean sheet, so that’s another one ticked off.”
GRIMSBY TOWN: McKeown 8, Hall-Johnson 7, Whitmore 7, Collins 7, Hendrie 7, Embleton 6 (Hessenthaler 6, 72), M Rose 6, Clifton 6, Vernam 6 (Cook 62, 6), Thomas 6 (Rose 89, 6), Hooper 6. Subs not used: Welsh, Famewo, Russell, Pringle.
EXETER CITY: Pym 7, Sweeney 7, Croll 7, A Martin 7, Moxey 6, Law 6, Taylor 6, Boateng 6 (Abrahams 89, 6), Holmes 6 (Tilson 82, 6), Stockley 6, Forte 6 (Martin 70, 6). Subs not used: Woodman, O’Shea, Hamon, Jay.