GUTSY Grimsby lost out to a late penalty as they came within minutes of halting high-flying league leaders Melbourne.
The Blues maintained their good form at their Springfield Road home this season by going close to shock result against the Midlands 3 East (North) high-flyers.
Melbourne, on a nine-game winning streak, managed to grind out 23-20 victory after a bruising encounter.
Grimsby have lost their last three matches, but have positives to take into Saturday's derby at lowly Lincoln.
The Blues were the better side for the majority of the game – only a few moments of indiscipline cost them.
Grimsby charged into the lead – against a Melbourne side who have been beaten just once this campaign – by scoring two tries.
A rehearsed line-out move culminated in second-row Jim Livermore thunder over the line in the corner.
Impressive number eight Sam Vickers' great solo effort added the second try, which was converted by fly-half Bradley Watson.
Melbourne struck back with two tries of their own, both breakaway efforts.
The first came just before half-time, when the Blues had Livermore in the sin-bin for a rash moment of indiscipline.
Melbourne took the lead when a rare defensive lapse in the Blues back-line allowed one of the visitors' centres to touch down with a good solo effort.
Watson and Melbourne's kicker exchanged penalties as tension mounted with the match still in the balance.
Grimsby then rocked the table-toppers again, by drawing level.
A sniping run from scrum-half and captain Ben Pharaoh saw him find space before galloping around the last line of defence to score.
The Blues were undone when, after missing a simple kick to touch, one of their players was caught offside.
Melbourne's impressive kicker, back from serving time in the sin-bin, duly made amends by coolly slotting the ball between the posts from distance with around minute remaining.
Grimsby piled forward at the death for a winning score but to no avail.
The style and aggression on display from the Blues, however, should stand the team in good stead for Saturday's derby.
