A DOUBLE blast from Steve Davies helped Grimsby Borough end a three-match winless run and bounce back to form against Bottesford.
The Wilderness Boys hit back from their Lincolnshire Senior Trophy defeat to derby rivals Cleethorpes last week with a 3-0 victory at the Bradley Community Stadium.
Nigel Fanthorpe and Steve Newby's charges are eighth in the table but only three points adrift of third-placed Pontefract Collieries – who visit Bradley on Saturday.
Joint boss Fanthorpe said: "We overcame a quality Bottesford side by producing a confident and well-controlled performance.
"It was great to see out the game and keep another clean sheet."
Borough built on the improved second-half display they produced against Cleethorpes last Tuesday when they netted twice to hit back from 2-0 down – only to lose out due to former Wilderness Boy Luke Mascall's winner for the Owls.
Although Bottesford started well, they were unable to break down a stubborn defence comprising George Newby, Gary Deakins, Shaun Baker and Rick Forrest.
Borough pounced on their first good chance on ten minutes when Davies played a lovely ball through to striker Andy Taylor and he placed the ball past goalkeeper Rob Zand, into the far bottom corner.
The goal gave Borough confidence and Jim Archer and Jake Thompson began to pull the strings in midfield.
Taylor should have made it 2-0 on 20 minutes but his delicate chip just missed the far corner.
Bottesford improved as they began to generate service to the dangerous Danny Boulton – but they failed to test Borough stopper Leigh Cook.
Resolute defending again inspired the Wilderness Boys at the start of the second half in response to early pressure from the visitors. Borough keeper Cook did well to punch clear two dangerous crosses from David Bocock.
Josh Fuller became an increasing threat when Borough launched counter-attacks, and the former Grimsby Town winger instigated the second goal. Fuller ran at Bocock, cut inside and lashed in a low cross that Zand could only parry into the path of Davies, who side-footed into an empty net.
Borough then began to knock the ball around with confidence – and they were rewarded with a third goal when Davies latched on to a mistake from Mike Thompson and fired low past the Dinnington goalkeeper.
Rick Creer came off the bench to end a six-week injury lay-off, and Kieran Wressell made his debut as a substitute, as Borough saw the game out.
