By J Bateman
March 11 2003

Unlucky Grimsby were dealt a massive blow after conceding a last minute equaliser to an out of sorts Forest team.

Nottm For 2-2  Grimsby Reid 23 Williams 90   Groves 44 Pouton 48 Att: 25,507

Forest could have gone 11 pionts clear if they won tonight from the teams below the line , but the annual part poopers from Grimsby butted there noses in where the Forest didn't want them too.

Forest started like a team who were playing like world beaters and they stroked the ball  round lovely at times , keeping Grimsby pegged back , in the 23rd minute Forest got a fortunate first goal when Reid struck  a laided off free kick it took a wicked deflection that left goalkeeper Coyne rooted to the spot .

Just before half time though Grimsby levelled with a well worked goal from Manager Paul Groves , a ball into the box to Darren Mansaram who twisted his marker and then played a killer ball into the box, were Groves was found in acres of space and slotted home right on half time , it was all that Grimsby deserved as they were the brighter team towards the break.

Forest were stunned within 2 minutes of the 2nd half when  a lose ball at the edge of the area was picked up by Adam Pounton who drilled a crisp shot through a crowd of players to put Grimsby into a deserved lead.

Forest were edgy after that but regained there senses and layed seige to the Mariners goal for the last 20 minutes , just when Grimsby could sense 3 precouis pionts they went to sleep , Harewood slipped unoticed into the box and delievered a pin piont ball right onto the foot of Gareth Williams who spared Forest's blushes and killed the Grimsby players.

 

Nottm Forest: Ward, Louis-Jean, Dawson, Hjelde (Johnson 64), Brennan, Thompson, Scimeca, Williams, Reid, Harewood, Huckerby.
Subs Not Used: Jess, Roche, Oyen, Doig.
Booked: Huckerby, Scimeca.

Grimsby: Coyne, McDermott, Ford, Santos, Gallimore, Campbell, Groves, Pouton (Barnard 85), Richard Hughes, Oster, Mansaram (Livingstone 85).
Subs Not Used: Allaway, Chettle, Bolder.

Ref: S Tomlin (E Sussex)