Peterborough 0 Grimsby 0

By: Richard Lord
Date: 28/12/2003

GRIMSBY Town managed to battle out their third successive league draw as the game finished 0-0 at Peterborough this afternoon.

Both Jason Crowe and Darren Barnard were missing from the squad through suspension, so Pouton continued in midfield and Greg Young filled in at left back.

Following Crowe's dismissal down at Bournemouth and Tony Crane's sending off against Oldham, the Mariners were hoping to play out 90 minutes with eleven men on the field.

The 3-3 Boxing Day draw had obviously taken its toll on Groves' side, as both teams looked lethargic in the first half.

Peterborough had the best of the few chances that came their way, and Town had to twice clear off the line to keep the scores level.

There was little in the way of attacking threat from the visitors, with Marcel Cas playing at right back following the news that McDermott may have to face a hernia operation.

And with two games in the space of three days, manager Paul Groves chose not to risk his reliable captain.

Town created more chances after the break, and Crane was always a threat from set pieces but he continually failed to work the keeper.

Boulding then went down clutching his face after what looked to be an accidental elbow from Peterborough's Mark Arber.

Jevons and Campbell swapped sides in an attempt to carve open more opportunities, but it was Onuora who couldn't quite retrieve the ball when it was played just yards behind him.

Boulding then got in behind the defence but Tyler turned his effort behind for a corner.

The Mariners were pressing, but Barry Fry then brought on two sets of fresh front-running legs and the game gradually began to turn.

Edwards was played into trouble from a poor Hamilton pass, and Peterborough somehow contrived to waste the best opportunity of the game.

Mansaram replaced Onuora up front and Ford played as an emergency left back after Young had to leave the field with cramp.

Both sides could have won it in the five minutes of injury time. Jevons saw his free kick hit the side netting and Farrell accidentally handballed when the goal was at his mercy.

The Mariners were made to work hard for their point, and with two changes in Town's back line, Groves will be pleased with the clean sheet.

Despite having three attacking players on the pitch in Jevons, Onuora and Boulding, the latter looked off the pace.

Pouton successfully worked his way through his second game in 72 hours after his nine-month lay-off.

Although the result doesn't push Grimsby up the league table, they do have a game in hand over most other teams and are proving difficult to beat.

The draw doesn't help Peterborough in their relegation battle, having only won once at home in the league all season.

Other noticeable results in the division were Chesterfield's win at high-flying Barnsley, and Sheffield Wednesday's 2-2 draw at Tranmere.

The Owls have now failed to win in 12 attempts, and relinquished a two-goal lead today at Prenton Park.

Both the top teams won to extend their lead at the head of the division, while Wycombe look in real trouble at the bottom, with relegation a near certainty.

Grimsby have now won seven, drawn eight and lost eight this season in the league but must now look to win a couple on the bounce to see them climb the table.

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