The derby started quietly with only a Grimsby corner threatening to open the scoring in the first 10 minutes but it was wasted. On the 13th minute, future-Imp Gritton was caught offside. From the resulting free kick, Marriott throttled the ball forward which Sandwith touched on before Yeo whalloped the ball home from 6 yards to give the Imps a 1-0 lead.

Within 2 minutes, it should have 2-0 when a Craig Westcarr couldn't connect properly with a shot and sent the ball wide from less than 6 yards out. Westcarr was on loan from Nottingham Forest. He was rated as an excellent young striker but only scored once whilst on loan at the Imps, hitting a stunning on the floor effort against Bury on New Years Day.

Lincoln came under pressure but Grimsby failed to produce anything from 2 corners before City gained one of their own midway through the half. Sandwith took the corner which GTF managed to control with a suspicion of handball before crossing the ball. It appeared to be missing everyone before it fell to Yeo. The striker did his usual trick and hit it first time, watching it sail into the net from close range to give City a 2-0 lead.

It was almost 3 just seconds later when GTF burst through on goal but his shot was blocked by Terrell Forbes after the defender managed to catch up. The ex-Imp, Terry Fleming fouled GTF but the free kick was wasted by Westcarr as he just sent the ball well over everyone and out for a goalkick.

Grimsby won a few more corners but still didn't create anything and Grimsby's first shot in the 37th minute was easily collected by Marriott. Martin Gritton then wasted a chance when he cleared the stand from 6 yards out. That would become a familar story for Imps fans as Gritton joined the Imps a year later.

Grimsby came out for the second half very determined and after a null start to the half, they made it 2-1 just 5 minutes in. Reddy managed to cross beyond the defence to the back post where Pinault was waiting and all of a sudden it was  game on. City were suddenly on the back foot and were lucky that it stayed as a 2-1 lead for as long as it did. The Imps had a habit of throwing away leads under Keith Alexander, especially two goal leads away from home.

It was all Grimsby and they quickly gained yet more corners but both were cleared easily. However, another scamble just seconds later saw Coldicott smash in the ball from outside of the box after Pinault's cross although Marriott should have done better. It sent the Grimsby fans wild and they invaded the pitch and taunting Imps fans.

62 seconds later and as Grimsby fans were still celebrating and returning to their seats, GTF broke down the right before crossing for Yeo. The striker hit it first time with his right foot and it sailed past Williams. It was the first time since 2000 that an Imps player had scored a hatrick and you'd have to go back a further 3 to find the last hatrick scored in the League.

I have read other reports of Grimsby fans celebrating, sitting down, looking up just to see the ball go in the net, classic.

Grimsby were deflated and you could tell, they just gave up, they weren't even running anymore. Then came a moment no-one was expecting, GTF and Yeo ran into the box but was stopped by 3 Grimsby defenders, one of them cleared it straight to Toner on the edge of the area and the midfielder hit it first time with a brilliant effort to score his first goal for the Imps. 

Toner had been linked with a move to Kidderminster Harriers during the week but this goal suddenly turned him into an excellent player. That ended soon afterwards as he and Marcus Richardson were sacked for an alledged fight at the training ground. He went out on loan but joined Grimsby in the following season. He has scored twice against the Imps since then.

The game calmed down and the remaining 20 minutes were only full of half chances and no hopers and City made it 3 well earned points and moved the Imps back into the playoff positions.

City went on to make the Playoffs again but ended up losing the Playoff Final to Southend. Grimsby stayed midtable before having their one and only "successful" season in League Two since returning, losing a Playoff Final to Cheltenham Town.