Grimsby Town upbeat despite 3-0 defeat at Scunthorpe United

IT may have ended Grimsby Town's unbeaten pre-season record, but there were encouraging signs in the Lincs Senior Cup quarter-final defeat.

While few would argue that the better team won, most would agree that the scoreline flattered the Iron, who for large parts of the game were well-matched by Rob Scott and Paul Hurst's side.

The manner in which the goals were conceded – and the number of genuine chances created at the other end – will be of slight concern for the joint bosses.

But their side's composure and ability to keep the ball against virtually the host's first-choice XI would have heartened the duo – and the 768-strong clan that made the short journey down the M180.

Paul Bignot played his first game for the Mariners since joining the club on trial earlier this month.

Another player who is hoping to earn a deal at Blundell Park – Chris Doig – was also included in the starting line-up.

But it was his undercooked back-pass that almost gifted Matt Godden an early chance, however, James McKeown was quick off his line to smother.

At the other end, Paddy McLaughlin started and almost finished Town's first real attack of note. His clever through-ball set Liam Hearn racing clear, before the frontman laid the ball back for Joe Colbeck to cross.

When the ball eventually fell to the Northern Irishman, he crashed a half volley that deflected just wide of Sam Slocombe's goal.

But as half-time approached, the Iron began to assert themselves on the game, and, after winning a corner with less than ten minutes to go, they broke the deadlock.

Centre-half David Mirfin rose highest to power a header at goal, as McLaughlin tried in vain to keep it out on the line.

The midfielder could have put the Mariners back on terms within seconds of the restart, but his stooping header from Hearn's cross flew just wide, with Slocombe rooted to the spot.

After that chance, there were few opportunities for Town as their hosts finished stronger.

Nevertheless, they began brightly after the restart – first Colbeck hammered high and wide before Alex Rodman drove a tame effort on target in a largely uneventful 20 minutes.

But then the Iron hit the woodwork when a wayward cross looped onto McKeown's bar, while, minutes later, sub Deon Burton's header bounced across goal with no-one in a claret and blue shirt there to tap home.

And the improving hosts thought they had their second when Godden steered a cross from Terry Hawkridge towards goal.

However, Doig was on hand to hack off the line and the referee waved play on, despite the appeals of the home crowd.

At the other end, an unmarked Ross Hannah tapped home Aswad Thomas' low cross, but the frontman was denied by the offside flag.

The home side upped the pressure in the final ten minutes.

And they sealed their win with another goal from a set-piece when Sam Winnall headed home from a Hawkridge free-kick, before adding a flattering gloss to the score-line with a bizarre third.

Straight after the restart, sub Sam Hatton looked to be fouled and Town's players thought play was about to be stopped.

However, the whistle wasn't forthcoming, and Burton clipped an opportunist 45-yard lob that sailed over a stranded McKeown.

While the bosses would have been disappointed with the eventual result, there was still plenty to build on ahead of tomorrow night's visit of Bradford City.