ROSS Hannah, Nathan Pond and Marcus Marshall would have all been signed on a permanent basis at the start of the season – had they been available.

That was the message from Town joint bosses Rob Scott and Paul Hurst at a Fans' Forum event organised by the Mariners Trust at Blundell Park last night.

The future of the club's loan players was a hot topic among fans who also pressed the panel – which included director John Fenty – on the issue of a new stadium, striker Liam Hearn's recovery and the team's promotion prospects this season.

Addressing the audience of supporters, Scott said: "The players that we have in on loan weren't available to us at the start of the season.

"Ross Hannah, Nathan Pond and Marcus Marshall – we tried to sign them all permanently but we weren't able to. One went to a League Two club, one went to a League One club and the other had just been promoted, so it didn't work out at that time.

"But as soon as we were made aware of their availability we moved on it straight away.

"That's why they're not contracted at the club, but loan players at the minute.

"If it was up to us, they'd all have been contracted to the club at the start of the season."

He added: "We want to convert all of those players on loan to become permanent players at this football club – that goes without saying; the performances of those players show that.

"We're working on it. We spent all afternoon (yesterday) speaking to their respective agents and we're trying to work on them all."

Keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph this week for more highlights from the Forum.

THE Red and Greens went down 37-3 to Old Northamptonians in atrocious conditions – but can hold their heads high after a battling display against the table-toppers

Rasen's much-changed side was further hampered by late withdrawals ahead of the Midlands 1 East clash.

And, although the they had first use of a slight pitch incline, it was the hosts who struck first when fly-half Alex Rose kicked a penalty in the second minute.

After a missed attempt a minute later, opposite number Matt Sutton then found his range to draw the sides level after ten minutes.

Rose's next attempt fell short before Old Northamptonians' front row forced their counterparts to stand up, giving him another opportunity, which he slotted to restore the home team's lead.

Moments later Sutton was back in action, but was unable to restore parity as his kick failed to make the target.

Back came the home side and, after a Rasen line-out was turned over, the home backs moved the ball wide to wing Adam Civil to take advantage of a clear overlap and score the first try.

This signalled a period of dominance for the Old Northamptonians, as they laid siege to the Rasen 22, but the visitors' defence held firm with a determination to keep their line intact.

Rasen had soaked up a lot of pressure, but a half-time deficit of 11-3 was not insurmountable.

The second period began badly for Rasen and with some confusion.

In the third minute, Old Northamptonians were awarded a penalty close to the Rasen line. Scrum-half Tom Goodman quickly grabbed the ball, tapped it and ran over the line.

The referee, looking over his shoulder and seeing Goodman ground the ball, blew his whistle. It looked like he was pulling the penalty back to be retaken, but in fact he was awarding the try – even though the initial action had taken place behind his back.

Rose added the conversion and Rasen literally had a hill to climb.

From a counter-attack, Old Northamptonians went through the phases to move ever closer to the Rasen line.

The alert Goodman, cajoling his pack as they moved forward, then spied a chink in the Rasen defence and sniped over the line for his second try.

It would be a further 23 minutes before another score.

But the heavy pitch eventually took its toll as Rasen were unable to contain the home pack in a series of scrummages, resulting in the referee awarding a penalty try. The score was converted by number eight Greg Mathers in the absence of the substituted Rose.

In the last play of the match, Old Northamptonians sucked in the visiting defence for centre Kieran O'Connor to gallop around the outside for the final try to make the score 37-3 to the hosts.

SILENCE is most definitely golden for this Cleethorpes fundraiser.

Jamie Dionyssiou, 22, will be taping his mouth shut for a whole day to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Jamie, who works as a bartender at the Trawlerman Pub, in North Sea Lane, Humberston, will be going a whole 10-hour shift – from noon to 10pm – without speaking a word.

His colleagues at the pub are helping Jamie by supplying him with a white board, pens and flash cards for his shift – but he still thinks it's still going to be tough.

Jamie said: "I think I'm going to have to tape my mouth shut to cope!

"I'm a very talkative person so it's going to be very difficult.

"It's going to be tough not saying anything, but the flash cards and white board should help.

"I think that some people will try to trip me up when they find out what I'm doing.

"Luckily, the staff are really getting behind me. They are very supportive."

Becky Flower, who is assistant manager at the venue, said Jamie will be completing his charity challenge during a busy Saturday shift.

She said: "I think it will be very difficult for him to stick to being silent but he is very determined.

"His shift will be on the Saturday which is always very busy and will make it harder for him not to talk to customers.

"We might try and catch him out but if he fails we will have to think of a forfeit for him."

The fundraising feat has been organised to show the staff's support for waitress Nikki Lilly, 39, who recently lost her mum to stomach cancer in August.

Nikki said: "My mum was only diagnosed eight weeks before she passed away.

"She only had one week of radiotherapy. The cancer was very aggressive and spread quickly around her body."

Nikki says that management and staff have been very supportive and helpful.

She added: "They have been brilliant. They have rung me every day to check I'm ok," she added.

Jamie's sponsored silence will take place on Saturday, December 15, from 12 to 10pm.

If you would like to support him, pop into the venue or call 01472 811893.

AFTER a year in the making, Keelby's Spar Garden is officially open.

Previously a patch of waste land, strewn with litter, the garden at the side of the village's Spar shop has been transformed by members of the Brightening Keelby Campaign.

It was officially opened by Spar's manageress, Rachel Dent – who is flushed with success from coming second only to Tesco in the recent Retail Industrial Awards For Works In The Community – along with the village beavers and cubs.

Village correspondent Margaret Moorcroft said: "Rachel is very modest about her success.

"She has used her influence to support Brightening Keelby, St Bartholomew's Church, Keelby Youth Group, Keelby Primary School, the pensioners' Christmas party, Help For Heroes and the Rascals Day Nursery.

"We would like to thank Rachel for her enthusiasm.

"Unfortunately, president of Brightening Keelby, Jon Hodson – who had carried out the building work on this project – was unable to attend, but young and old have voiced their positive opinions about the project."

Thanks were also given to all those who had helped in the project, provided the flower baskets for around the war memorial and supplied last year's Christmas tree.

They include: B&Q Grimsby, Jewsons, Immingham, Somerscales Wood Yard, Mr Bevis, Signs Express, Keelby Football Club and members of the public.

STAFF at a tattoo studio in Cleethorpes are providing an 'ink-redible' Christmas offer to help raise money for charity.

Skinworx, in the High Street, is raising money for Grimsby's St Andrew's Hospice – which supports people with life-limiting diseases and their families – by offering special sessions.

The 12 days of Christmas event will run from Tuesday, December 11, until Sunday, December 23, and there will be a total of 144 discounted half-hour slots at the studio.

Each session will cost £20 and £5 from each will go to charity.

Studio owner Samantha Pitts said: "This is our first charity event and we are hoping to raise as much as possible.

"We started with 144 slots and we have already filled 59 of them.

"We have chosen some designs that can be completed in half an hour but we are flexible over what we can do.

"We will also allow people to book blocks of time for bigger pieces.

"If anyone has any questions about the offer they can always come into the shop or give us a call."

Although the offer does not start for another two weeks, the staff at the studio have already been collecting money.

Tattoo artist Alan Gilliatt said: "We are hoping that this is the start of an annual event.

"We have already been using the collection tin to get as much as possible.

"If we fill all the slots we will double them to make even more, but only if the interest is there.

"We haven't really got any links to the charity but because they are local and do great work we chose them.

"The offer has already been popular so I can see myself being very busy just before Christmas.

"Anyone that books a slot with us will also be given a raffle ticket with a variety of prizes available, including a free hour of studio time."

For more information about the 12 days of Christmas event, call the shop on 01472 485 748 or 075350 82556.

If you are planning to raise money for charity, let us know by calling 01472 372236 or emailing newsdesk@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

A MOTHER has sung the praises of Grimsby's St Andrew's Hospice ahead of its annual Light Up A Life ceremony this weekend.

Hundreds of people are expected to gather inside Grimsby Minster at 2pm on Sunday for this year's service.

But before then, the Grimsby Telegraph has once again teamed up with the Peak's Lane hospice to highlight those who benefit from its ongoing care.

For the mother of Scarlett Chessman, 1, having her daughter attend the hospice has meant she can return to work part-time.

Scarlett has a rare genetic syndrome called Macrocephaly-Capillary Malformation – affecting just 200 people in the world.

Her brain has not developed properly, leaving her with multiple complications, such as blindness, global developmental delay and low muscle tone.

Mum Lynsey cannot speak highly enough of the hospice.

She said: "Like many people, when it was suggested we should use the hospice I immediately dismissed the idea, as I believed wrongly that it was a place to go to die. I want to dispel that myth.

"Thanks to help from staff, I have returned to work with the Crown Prosecution Service.

"It has also been good to find support from other families that use the hospice and I have made some good friends.

"Scarlett sleeps a lot but really enjoys using the sensory room, jacuzzi and the massages she receives from the complementary therapists."

As reported, the Light Up A Life campaign is the charity's main annual fundraiser. About 2,000 people got involved last year and helped drum up more than £25,000. This time fundraisers are aiming for £30,000.

The special service on Sunday will allow people to remember lost loved ones.

A Tree Of Light is also currently on display in Grimsby's Top Town market where people can write a lost loved one's name on a card and hang it up. There are also donation buckets available for people to make a contribution.

Jane Whenham-White, head of fundraising and marketing at the hospice, cannot stress just how important the campaign is.

She said: "As well as raising money, the event is a chance for people to stop for a few moments and reflect. It is about celebrating lives, not grieving and anyone is welcome to attend."

Don't miss out. Fill in the form on this page with the name of the person you wish to remember and return it to the hospice in Peaks Lane, Grimsby, by 5pm today. Each name submitted will be added to a list which will be displayed inside the Minster for Sunday's service at 2pm.

More fundraising for St Andrew's – Page 16

HAVE you ever spotted something unusual in the skies of northern Lincolnshire?

Over the years, dozens of people have contacted the Grimsby Telegraph to report strange sightings and close encounters.

Could they be military aircraft, rare meteorological phenomena or are they crafts from other worlds?

Now you can be a part of documenting sightings in our area – by clicking on our interactive map on to find out more and posting your own stories. You can also view video footage of alleged spaceship sightings.

The possibility of the existence of aliens has fascinated the human race for centuries, and our area is no stranger to bizarre happenings above our heads.

From the RAF logging a spaceship through a telescope in 1956 to strange lights over Scartho in 2009 – and, of course, the infamous Conisholme wind turbine mystery – the sightings of unidentified flying objects have been numerous.

Conisholme received international media attention after a wind turbine was left severely damaged when it was allegedly hit by a mysterious craft.

Dozens of witnesses reported seeing flashing orange-coloured lights following the incident, with one resident describing the possible culprit as "a massive ball of light with tentacles going right down to the ground".

Manufacturer Enercon later released a report suggesting the £1m turbine had suffered mechanical failure causing one of its 65ft blades to break off.

Our online map shows a selection of the more well-known cases of mysterious UFO encounters reported in the area over the years.

Renowned parapsychologist and author Robin Furman, who lives in Grimsby, is a national expert on the unexplained.

He said: "There is no doubt that there are unexplained objects in the sky, but whether or not they're actually aliens from another planet, no one knows.

"Even when you take away all those that can be explained, there are a number of inexplicable and unexplained cases. They have been reported since Biblical times so they cannot be dismissed.

"Some sightings, however, can be explained quite easily. For example, ball lightning – also called St Elmo's Fire – can seem like something from another world but is a natural phenomenon.

"In most cases you find that UFO footage is either too good that you can see it must be a fake – or so bad that you can't make out anything.

"The thing with UFOs is there is enough to keep the believers believing, and not enough to convince the non-believers."

From Roswell to Doctor Who, the interest has always been there.

The National Archives regularly release UFO files, detailing historical sightings from around the UK.

And worldwide, there have been some fascinating documents. Take, for example, a well-known photograph of a UFO spotted in China in January 2005. Whether you believe or not, or you sit on the fence, it's an enthralling subject.

Commenting on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk, TheWrangler said: "Undoubtedly, 'aliens' exist; the universe is just too big for life not to exist elsewhere, but therein lies the problem – it's too big!

"Only aliens who have developed faster than light drives would be able to visit and as this is currently outside of our scientific understanding, should aliens visit we would not see them unless they wanted to be seen."

Whyhaveone added: "I am inclined to dismiss UFO sightings out-of-hand – but people are entitled to believe what they wish."

And Alt-minds tweeted: "Alien invaders travel millions of light years to earth and make a bee-line for Grimsby. Well, wouldn't you?"

CHRISTMAS has come early for one lucky family thanks a £500 cash boost from the Grimsby Telegraph.

Lucy Philps, 40, of the Willows estate, won the Go To Town This Christmas prize draw, which was held as part of the two-day festive extravaganza organised by the Telegraph, North East Lincolnshire Council and Freshney Place.

People queued at the Grimsby Telegraph market stall to enter the draw – and Lucy's was the first name out of the hat.

She said: "I went along to the event because we knew there would be reindeer and my daughter thought they were going to be fake ones.

"I left my two kids with a couple of friends while I went and joined the queue for the draw.

"Now that I have won, I will be buying the friends a bottle of wine each!"

Lucy, who is a team leader with care service Navigo, said the cash could not have come at a better time for her to treat her son Ben, 4, and daughter Georgia, 10.

She added: "I had not even started my Christmas shopping because there was no spare cash and I was waiting to get paid next month before getting started. This has taken a great strain off me. I will finally be able to get my husband, Mark, something for Christmas because as parents we usually go without."

Lucy said she will take Mark on a gift-buying trip to an electrical store because of his love of gadgets and home entertainment.

She also plans to get herself a new outfit, as well as buying a few surprises for their children, with Ben being keen on toy trains and Georgia hoping for a scooter.

TWO teenagers are looking forward to careers as sports coaches after being rewarded for their volunteering.

Sports enthusiasts Jordan Gregersen, from Cleethorpes, and Josh Dellow, from Grimsby, have achieved gold awards in a nationally-recognised volunteering scheme.

The pair took part in the Government-backed Positive Futures programme, which was hosted by North East Lincolnshire Council Sports Development.

They racked up more than 100 volunteering hours each in the last eight months while taking part in sporting activities.

They were congratulated on their efforts by the Minister of State for Crime Prevention, Jeremy Browne, at a celebration event at the House of Commons. Jordan was asked to share his experiences in volunteering at the event.

The 18-year-old, of Manchester Street, said: "It was a bit nerve-racking standing up and speaking, but apparently it didn't show.

"There were about 300 people there in total and I spoke about what I have been doing.

"Getting congratulated by everyone was a good feeling.

"Volunteering is a great way to help develop skills and knowledge about the job you would like to go into.

"Before I started volunteering I never knew what I wanted to do in the future, but after volunteering and experiencing it for myself I want to progress as far as I possibly can and become a full-time sports coach."

The Positive Futures scheme was linked to this year's London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – and those taking part were involved in sharing the values of the Games and encouraging others to enjoy and play sports.

Josh, 19, of The Ridgeway, added: "Volunteering has not only helped me immensely in meeting new people, developing me as a person and as a coach.

"It has got me on a path to employment and given me a clear direction of where I would like to be in the future.

"Without volunteering I don't know what I would be doing now."

Josh is now enrolled on an internship with North East Lincolnshire Council Sports Development and Jordan is taking part in an apprenticeship with the same body.

THE number of patients contracting norovirus in our region is steadily rising as winter takes hold.

However, a spokesman for Health Protection Agency (HPA) Yorkshire and the Humber said that evidence from doctors and hospitals showed the level of cases locally was "entirely as we would expect at around this time of year".

The news is in contrast to national reports that the numbers of patients contracting the disease – which causes vomiting and diarrhoea, and can lead to ward closures following hospital outbreaks – are at a five-year high.

The latest national figures provided by the HPA show confirmed reports of the virus – where samples have been sent by hospitals or GPs to laboratories for tests – is up 52 per cent on last year.

There have been 1,975 cases since July – compared to 1,301 this time last year.

No localised figures are available as it is not classed as a notifiable disease and so such data is not recorded.

It is also hard to measure the true number of people hit by the virus, as many patients do not inform their GP and the advice to those affected is to stay at home and drink plenty of water.

Other symptoms of the disease – which is "highly infectious" include a raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs.

But there are some simple steps you can take to avoid falling victim to the bug – or passing it on if you are unlucky enough to catch it.

Dr Stephen Morton, director at HPA Yorkshire and the Humber, added: "Many people don't realise how easily norovirus is spread, and therefore just how important it is for infected people to follow good hygiene measures, including thorough hand-washing, particularly after visiting the toilet."

Other top tips include:

Where possible, stay away from school or work until 48 hours after symptoms have ceased.

Drink plenty of fluids and rest to prevent dehydration.

Make sure that any surface contaminated by vomit or faeces is thoroughly disinfected after an episode of illness.

Dr Andrew Clark, director of public Health at NHS Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "We realise that people will want to visit friends and relatives whether at home or in hospitals, care or nursing homes over winter.

"If you are visiting people who are particularly vulnerable to infection and you have symptoms of sickness and, or diarrhoea , the best thing you can do to protect your loved ones is to delay any visits until you are fully recovered and have been symptom free for two days.

"If you think you may be affected by norovirus, stay at home and use the symptom checker on the NHS Direct website, which is also available on web-enabled mobile phones."

Find out more

For more information, log on to www.nhs.uk/nhsdirect or mobile.nhsdirect.nhs.uk via your phone. Alternatively, call NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

A LACK of communication from Government bodies and awareness of the help available is a "big flaw" in the Work Programme, according to a local jobseeker.

And another one on the government scheme – this week revealed to be missing many of its targets – feels his "qualifications are going to waste".

The Work Programme pays companies and voluntary organisations if they succeed in securing more than six months' work for clients.

David Albon, 51, of Gilbey Road, Grimsby, said: "I think the Work Programme could put more money into training and support.

"The whole idea is you go on a work placement with the end goal of gaining experience, which will help you gain a job, but the scheme definitely needs some tweaking.

"I have a forklift driving licence and lots of qualifications in that sector but I lack experience.

"My current placement is as a grounds worker at St Hugh's Community Centre but that's not giving me any relevant experience.

"I think this really needs addressing. I feel like my qualifications are going to waste."

Another person currently undertaking the programme, Jodie Groom, 33, of Burns Grove, Grimsby, volunteers at the St Hugh's Centre.

She added: "I have been unemployed for 10 years and I wasn't aware the Work Programme existed until two weeks ago. I think the lack of people knowing about it is a big flaw, to be honest.

"A lot more should be done to get it out there and raise awareness of it.

"I think the government and other bodies, including the Jobcentre, should communicate more about what help is available."

As reported, out of 3,920 long-term unemployed people in the borough who were referred to the scheme, only 120 have found jobs lasting more than six months.

At three per cent, that is below the national average of 3.5 per cent and well under the Department for Work and Pensions' official target of 5.5 per cent.

Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell said it is clear the Work Programme "isn't working".

He added: "I think it was a good idea for the Government to do payment by results, but it's difficult to judge what a firm considers a good outcome compared to what would have happened naturally. Firms and charities also need to be paid more in places like Grimsby where unemployment is so high, because it's much more difficult to get a job."

Cleethorpes constituency MP Martin Vickers said the figures were "clearly disappointing" and "particularly so" in North East Lincolnshire.

He added: "I've not had a chance to study the figures in detail but I still support the principle of what the Government is trying to achieve."

What do you think?

Are you enrolled on the Work Programme? Let us know by emailing newsdesk@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

CROWDS gathered to pay their last respects to a brave Immingham teenager who sadly lost her battle with cancer, earlier this month.

As reported, 17-year-old Shannon Davis passed away on November 14 after fighting the disease for two-and-a-half years, beating it once before it returned this summer.

Yesterday, friends and family gathered to say goodbye to brave young Shannon, who sister Emma described as "an inspiration".

More than 100 people arrived, many wearing purple – Shannon's favourite colour – to see her lilac coffin carried into Grimsby Crematorium to Rock 'n' Roll Train by ACDC, a band that she worshipped.

Joan Jones, who led the service to celebrate Shannon's life, said: "Shannon maintained a sense of humour throughout her illness, which she fought with much courage and always made time to cheer up the younger ones in the hospital, who she loved.

"Make room for Shannon, think about her often, use the sayings and phrases that she would use and she will live on in all of you."

Mrs Jones described the former Oasis Academy Immingham and Whitgift student as a happy and outgoing young girl who loved life and was having a ball.

However, in 2010, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia – but thanks to a groundbreaking new drug, she went into remission, which meant she could have a bone marrow transplant in September 2011, said Mrs Jones.

Shannon started to get her life back on track, beginning a course at Grimsby Institute, growing her hair back and enjoying the life of a teenager with her friends.

She even managed to beat swine flu and pneumonia while her immune system was still recovering.

However, in May, Shannon became ill again and discovered that the leukaemia had returned – which she had suspected.

Joan read how Shannon enjoyed the last six months of her life, going on a family holiday to Butlin's in Ingoldmells – which 14 members of her family attended – staying in the Lake District with her parents and an auntie and uncle and going out with friends.

Shannon even had her 18th birthday party a month early on Friday, November 2, which she described as the best night of her life, Joan read.

"Her mother Pat said that she was so glad she moved the birthday party forward," added Joan.

Members of Shannon's family collectively read out a short poem that they had written, dedicated to her.

A number of people put purple flowers on the coffin after the final song of the service – Fun's We Are Young – before the committal.

The family asked the congregation to make donations to Isabelle's Appeal – an attempt to raise £250,000 needed to take a seven-year-old girl to Germany for treatment for a very aggressive form of childhood cancer.

Shannon and Isabelle, as well as their families, had got to know each other while both being treated at Sheffield's Children's Hospital at the same time.

To donate to Isabelle's Appeal or find out more, visit www.issabellesappeal.co.uk

Shannon's family is also holding a fundraiser for the appeal on December 8.

Tickets are £5 and can be bought at the Bluestone Inn, Jane's Gems Florist, or by calling Emma Norris on 07769267322.

THIS 13-year-old boy is a "different child" after undergoing an eight-hour operation to straighten his spine with two metal rods.

Harvey Legg, of Holton-le-Clay, had the lengthy surgery after scoliosis – a spinal curve caused by a rare genetic condition called 22q 11.2 – reached a 90 degree angle and was crushing his organs.

Doctors only usually perform the surgery on older children aged 15 or 16, but Harvey's condition was so severe he needed it four years early.

The youngster, who was in serious pain prior to the procedure at The Children's Hospital in Sheffield, learned to walk again afterwards and now plays with his friends like any other child.

Harvey's mum Claire, 39, said: "By the time Harvey was set to go for his operation, he was excited to have it done.

"The surgeon said he'd never met anyone excited about it but his standard of life was so poor it was going to be so much better for him and that was what he was looking forward to.

"It was the longest day of my life when he went for the surgery but now he is a different child, his spine healed marvellously."

Dr Ashley Cole put two titanium rods into Harvey's back either side of his spine which will remain for life and prevent his spine from curving with the scoliosis. He is unlikely to need any more surgery.

Dr Cole, a consultant spinal surgeon at Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, who worked for eight hours during Harvey's mammoth operation, said: "The op was a huge success and Harvey has recovered fantastically well.

"We had to do the surgery much sooner with Harvey than many other children because his condition was progressing at such a fast rate and it was making him very uncomfortable.

"We only perform this surgery in severe cases but it really changes the lives of these children."

Claire last year discovered Harvey's problems were caused by the rare genetic condition 22Q 11.2 Deletion Syndrome which affects just one in 4,000 people in the UK and he could pass it onto his children.

It only became clear he could have a genetic condition two years ago when it was indicated by the various changes in his health.

Midwives had spotted problems with Harvey's kidneys before he was born and he grew up with learning difficulties. The scoliosis was then discovered.

Many children with the syndrome also have a serious heart defect and a particular facial appearance which Harvey does not.

His condition is so rare and the symptoms so general that clinicians needed to test for many different rare conditions to find the exact one.

Claire was approached by a genetic counsellor and offered the series of tests to find a diagnosis and the test for 22q11.2 was positive.

She said: "We had lots of tests to diagnose Harvey with his condition.

"It was a bigger shock than hearing about the scoliosis because it's often passed on by parents but Harvey's dad and I were tested and neither of us have it. However, there's a 50 per cent chance Harvey could pass it onto his children and the counsellor would want to see him again when he thinks about having a family."

Harvey, who also lives with step-dad Steve Walker, 46, recently took up drama class.

Claire added: "He's much better now. He didn't have great confidence when he found out about his condition but going to this group he's improved massively and it's given him so much confidence. Since the operation success he's really turned into a confident young man."

GRIMSBY Town made it through to the Second Round of the FA Trophy, at the second time of asking, with a gritty 1-0 win at Buxton.

It took the Mariners until the 87th minute to break the deadlock through Ian Miller's towering header at the far post and set up a Second Round tie against Braintree Town or Havant & Waterlooville.

Rob Scott and Paul Hurst rang the changes after Saturday's 0-0 draw, with James McKeown, Michael Rankine and Greg Pearson coming in for Greg Fleming, Andy Cook and Scott Neilson respectively, while Dayle Southwell and Bradley Wood replaced Andi Thanoj and Sam Hatton.

On a bitter night in Derbyshire, the Mariners, starting off in a 4-4-2 line-up, began positively with Miller directing a tame early header on target from a deep free-kick, while with just over five minutes gone, Marcus Marshall fired over from the edge of the box.

Minutes later, Rankine, on his first start for Town, showed his strength to muscle past two defenders before being eventually hauled down.

From the resulting free-kick, he was penalised for perhaps using his strength a bit too forcefully when he barged over a Bucks defender as he tried to recover Marshall's flick.

At the other end, Wood had to be alert to clear a deep cross at the far post, but Town broke down the left and were unlucky that Rankine couldn't get on the end of Marshall's low cross as the visitors continued to press for an early goal.

But, with a quarter of the half gone, when Town didn't clear their lines, Scott Maxfield delivered a warning shot when he flashed a wicked volley just wide of McKeown's top corner.

Just as they had at the weekend, Town were dominating possession but Buxton were defending admirably, becoming more adventurous whenever their Conference opponents gave them encouragement.

Lee Morris planted a header wide from their first corner of the game on 20 minutes, while David Haggerty nodded over from their second minutes later.

A neat passage of play involving Niven, Craig Disley and Rankine released a previously quiet Southwell on the right-hand side, but as the youngster cut in, his shot deflected into the arms of Ian Deakin.

The stopper was called into action again seconds later to parry away Aswad Thomas' dipping drive from 20 yards.

His opposite number was kept on his toes by a deflected effort from sub Matt Thornhill, while Disley drove wide and, minutes later, referee Karl Evans brought the half to a close with very little between the two sides.

Town were out quicker and within seconds of the restart could have been ahead but Southwell's low cross ran through the box, evading all in black and white.

Evans waved away half-hearted penalty shouts when Greg Pearson went down as he tried to turn in the box, while the former Burton Albion man poked just wide from Thomas' low centre minutes later.

Town won their first corner of the game just short of the hour mark and, when it was cleared, Wood lifted a speculative volley out of the ground from fully 30 yards.

Morris' determined work then earned his side another corner and Miller just rose highest to take it off the forehead of Haggerty.

At the other end, Town had a half-chance to break the deadlock when Niven sneaked through but just lifted over Deakin's bar as Cook replaced Rankine.

Town were keeping the ball but were in desperate need of a break-though, although Southwell nearly gave them it when his cross from the left-hand side grazed the bar.

At the other end, Morris' clever flick gave Kieran Lugsden space to arrow a strike straight at keeper McKeown.

Cook's first meaningful involvement came on 68 minutes when his strength created an opportunity to Thomas who skewed into the side-netting on the angle from 12 yards, while Southwell drove harmlessly wide seconds later.

Louie Soares made his first appearance for Town after returning from his loan spell at Ebbsfleet when he replaced Marshall in the 75 minute.

And, minutes later, Shaun Pearson belied his centre-half status when he turned neatly in the box and hammered a shot straight at Deakin after a Town free-kick.

Skipper Disley went for the spectacular minutes later but his overhead kick flew just over the Buxton bar as Town continued to apply the pressure.

Shaun Pearson skewed over a half-volley from a near-post corner minutes later as the game entered its last ten minutes still goal-less.

Ross Hannah came on for Greg Pearson to a 'warm' reception from the home crowd, having played for near neighbours Matlock.

With the game looking certain to go to extra time, Miller rose highest to meet Soares' cross – after his first corner was cleared – to nod in from six yards and give the Mariners a priceless goal.

Hannah could have made the closing stages more comfortable for the Mariners as the game entered stoppage time, but he was flagged offside as he bore down on goal.

Town held firm for the remaining minutes to see off a spirited Buxton side and record a hard-fought, if far from attractive, win that secured their passage to the Second Round.