Grimsby Town 2 Exeter City 2.

Saturday 7 February 2009.
Match Report by Jim Shepherd 

First off, a few thank you's. Firstly, to the 70 Exeter City fans who I made their way to Blundell Park in difficult conditions. Although few were actually able to make it from Devon, the spread came from Preston, London, Nottingham, Leeds,Yeovil and beyond. Second to Tis and the players for coming right over pitch side at the end and audibly thanking those supporters. And finallyto the remainder in the 3,324 crowd who gave generous and warm applause when the away crowd was announced. It was nice to be appreciated. But, on to the match, Grimsby, have gained the least number of points this season, so a City win was very much there for the taking. With this in mind Tisdale sent out an attacking line up of Paul Jones in goal; a back three of Troy Archibald-Henville, Matt Taylor and Rob Edwards; Steve Tully and Dean Moxey playing in advanced wingback roles: Manny Panther and Matt Gill in the centre with Neil Saunders a little further forward; the front two were Marcus Stewart and Steve Basham. City started brightly and were passing the ball well, Basham and Stewart's hold up play was first class and the little balls in around the midfield were generally finding their target. This brightness manifested itself in City's first real chance, and opening goal. Panther was fouled on the left in his own half. As Grimsby looked to dispute the decision Maxey thumped a forty yard crossfield ball to Stewart who had pulled away from his marker. His control was excellent and he then proceeded to cut inside and unleash a 25 yard curler that keeper Barnes could only watch fly beyond him into the top comer. Save for that, the opening quarter had been fairly even. Troy had made a last ditch tackle and City had scrambled the resulting comer away. and Saunders and Basham had both had efforts just off target. Stewart was lively in particularHe set up Gill on the edge of the box with the help of Maxey but his shot was dragged wideOn the half hour he instigated City's next chance prompting Saunders and Basham to release MoxeyHis cross to the far post was defended excellently though as Tully was about to butt the ball home. But, for all their quality possession the second goal didn't come and, as in recent games, City were undone in injury time at the end of the half. A Moxey cross was blocked and Grimsby broke. They played the ball out to the left, then back right across the midfieldThey patiently worked a crossing opportunity and as the ball was knocked down Jarman was quickest to pounce and steer the ball beyond Jones. A bit of a sucker punch but hopefully a wake up call too. With no half-time changes it was Grimsby who started the second period stronger ex-Yeovil striker Forbes hit the side netting while under pressure from Troy and they'd forced a couple of corners. On 54 minutes they took the lead and what a disaster defensively. City had set themselves up to defend a long free kick. When it came Taylor got a shout to leave the ball for Edwards, who then didn't react quickly enough and allowed an unmarked Jarman to collect the ball eight yards out and thump home. It was schoolboy stuff and out of character as the back three had looked composed, strong and confident. Visibly lifted, the home side tried to push home their advantage The closest they came was hitting the bar. Luckily for City as the ball ricocheted up off the woodwork it looped out of play for a goal kick. Not that the players knew this as the ball bounced back on to the bar and a short scramble ensued before they heard the whistle. This seemed to upset Grimsby manager Mike Newell who began an argument with the fourth official leading him to be sent to the stands with half an hour to go. City finally came to life as Basham and Saunders neatly played in Stewart fifteen yards out but, slightly off balance he couldn't steer his shot past Bames. Jones was the next keeper called into action as a 25-yard curling free kick came round the wallMoving his feet well he was able to push the ball behind and keep City in the game. The free kick award had got the home crowd animated as a clumsy Edwards challenge had got him booked when they wanted a little more. Then, a moment for all the anoraks out there. A Grimsby comer hit the post and rebounded back to whence it came. The corner taker hit a first time cross and the referee immediately blew for a free kickPuzzled looks were soon explained as no other player had touched the ball between the initial comer and the second cross. A succession of comers was defended until finally City  fashioned an equaliser, Ryan Harley, who had replaced Panther just after the equaliser was the scorer. His left foot drive from 20-yards arrowing inside the post And suddenly the game swung Grimsby looked like their confidence had been drained out of them, and City started to get more possession. As the game opened up Basham volleyed straight at the keeper and Elliott for the home side had a better chance but tamely valleyed at Jones from 8-yards. And that was thatFour added minutes couldn't separate the sides, so a point a piece it had to be.

BBC match report and details 

A Nathan Jarman double secured a point for Grimsby at home to Exeter.

Marcus Stewart put the visitors ahead with a fine finish following a quick free kick on eight minutes, but Jarman equalised on the stroke of half time.

The 22-year-old put Grimsby ahead nine minutes into the second half only for substitute Ryan Harley to claim a point in the 77th minute.

Grimsby could have had a third but Jean-Paul Kalala saw his effort rebound off the bar.

Grimsby: Barnes, Clarke, Bennett, Heywood, Widdowson, Jarman (Llewellyn 78), Kalala, Sinclair (Boshell 59), Elliott, Proudlock, Forbes (Bore 72).
Subs Not Used: Montgomery, Hegarty.

Booked: Forbes, Jarman.

Goals: Jarman 45, 54.

Exeter: Jones, Archibald-Henville, Taylor, Edwards, Tully (Logan 72), Moxey, Panther (Harley 56), Saunders, Gill, Stewart, Basham (Stansfield 90).
Subs Not Used: Marriott, Seaborne.

Booked: Edwards.

Goals: Stewart 8, Harley 79.

Attendance 3324 with 70 City fans.

Referee Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).