IT may have only been 1-0, but Grimsby Town's victory at Eastleigh last night showed the other Conference big hitters they mean business this season.
Ollie Palmer slotted home the winner after 38 minutes and, while it could have been even better for the Mariners, that strike was enough to seal three fantastic points.
Golden chances fell to Craig Clay and Lenell John-Lewis – either side of the break – but the visitors had to settle for a narrow verdict at the Silverlake Stadium.
After signing for the club on Monday, Christian Jolley and Gregor Robertson both made their Town debuts – right from the start.
It meant there was no place in the line-up for either Jack Mackreth or Danny Parslow, who both dropped to the substitutes' bench.
As expected, Mariners boss Paul Hurst recalled leading scorer John-Lewis to partner loanee Palmer in attack against The Spitfires.
And it was the returning frontman that found himself in the action straightaway, firing over from 15 yards after Nathan Arnold's centre.
Operating from the left, debutant Jolley soon highlighted the qualities he may bring to the quest for a Football League return.
Picking up from deep, the former Newport man slid a delicate ball through to Palmer – but there was just enough weight on the pass to tempt Ross Flitney out to collect.
John-Lewis had the ball in the Eastleigh net shortly after, but the offside flag had already gone up as the Mariners asserted their authority on the contest.
It was all Town as the clock ticked past 15 minutes and, after a corner, Palmer found time and space at the far post.
However, the striker failed to connect with his right foot, and the home side were able to regroup.
With 20 minutes gone, Eastleigh may well have taken the lead against the run of play – and in some style, too.
A looping centre eventually dropped towards Jack Midson, and the home dangerman stuck a sweet, left-footed volley from 25 yards.
Thankfully for Town – and James McKeown – his effort sailed wide of the far post.
There was then a moment of concern for the Mariners, as Toto Nsiala temporarily left the field after clashing with James Constable.
He was deemed fit enough to resume, though, and following a short delay the visitors were back up to their full quota.
As the first half went on, Eastleigh – orchestrated by ex-Premier League midfielder Brian Howard – eased their way back into the contest.
But while the hosts attempted to gain control, it was the Mariners who continued to play the better football – and they looked the more threatening, too.
Seven minutes from the interval, the visitors were rewarded with an opener, courtesy of a gift from their promotion rivals.
Palmer chased what seemed to be a lost cause down the left-hand side and, after a slip from Jamie Turley, the loanee finished with style.
It was no more than Town had deserved, and it could have been so much better as the first half drew to a close.
John-Lewis and Palmer were, in tandem, proving a handful for the Eastleigh defence, and their work led to a chance for Clay.
However, ten-yards out, the midfielder looked to place his finish, and Flitney was ultimately able to recover and make the save.
Just seconds after the restart, Town perhaps should have been celebrating a second.
Palmer raced clear of his marker but, after delivering a fine centre to John-Lewis, his strike partner headed wide with the goal at his mercy.
They could have been out of sight, but the visitors remained focussed and continued to dominate a lively encounter.
Robertson and Jolley – the Town new boys – were linking up well on the left, and the latter may well have marked his debut with a goal.
But as the clock ticked towards the hour mark, the former Newport man casually volleyed over after promising build-up play from Arnold and Carl Magnay.
The hosts had offered very little all night, but with skipper Craig Disley momentarily off the field, his side had to deal with a nervy moment.
Midson delivered from the left, but after one of two deflection along the way, Magnay and Pearson combined to remove the danger.
Eastleigh summoned Craig McAllister and Yemi Odubade from the bench, but those switched failed to change the flow of the game.
On 63 minutes, from another Arnold corner, defender Shaun Pearson saw his header cleared off the line before Disley – back on the field – drew a fine save from Flitney.
Town's captain may not have struck a better volley all season long, but the away stopper dived at full stretch to tip his effort over the crossbar.
Constable had endured a frustrating night, but Nsiala's slip almost presented Eastleigh with a second half equaliser.
It wasn't to be, though, as Magnay deflected a powerful strike away for a corner.
There was still time for both Palmer and John-Lewis to fire wide but, try as they might, the visitors just couldn't find a second to put the contest to bed.
Given the chances that had gone begging, Hurst decided it was better to stick rather than twist, and Parslow was sent on to shore up the midfield.
And it proved to be the right call as Town, despite one or two hairy moments, held on for a second Conference win in three days.
Next up for the Mariners is a reunion with bottom-side Telford.
Paul Hurst's in-form side will be looking to avenge their frustrating 1-1 draw with the Bucks in November.
