Grimsby boss David Artell admitted Saturday’s 2-1 League Two victory over Doncaster was the perfect measuring stick for the progression his side have made this season.
The Mariners suffered heavy defeats to Rovers in their previous two meetings but were deserved winners at the Eco-Power Stadium.
Justin Obikwu fired Grimsby ahead in the first half before a Joseph Olowu own goal – following excellent work from Jason Svanthorsson – seconds after the break saw them take command.
Rob Street scored a late consolation for Doncaster, who could not find a way through for an equaliser in the dying moments.
He said: “If ever there was a story of failing and then failing better, this was it.
“A year ago we got absolutely whalloped by Doncaster. Earlier this season, on the back of two really long away trips and an horrific injury crisis, we failed against Doncaster but failed a bit better.
“Today, we end up on the right side of it. That’s the progression made and it’s the progress we’ve got to keep making.
“Doncaster are a really good team. They’re up there for a reason. But we’ve come here and I thought we were worthy winners.
“For the last 15 minutes they’ve resorted to whacking it up because they couldn’t find a way through us. I thought we played some magnificent stuff on the break as well so all in all, it’s been a really pleasing day.
“I thought to a man, everyone involved was terrific and I’ve said to them that we’re going to need them all over the last 15 games.”
Grant McCann said is was a “really disappointing” display from his Doncaster side.
McCann felt Rovers delivered a thoroughly-poor performance, in stark contrast to their impressive effort in Monday night’s 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Crystal Palace.
“I thought it was the worst performance of the season from us by a country mile,” McCann said. “We were nowhere near.
“We didn’t win enough second balls, didn’t compete enough and got schooled far too many times by some of their experienced players.
“It’s really, really disappointing. It’s unacceptable from me, my staff and the players to get a real kick in the teeth and deservedly get beat.
“We’d trained well in the week. I’ve given everybody at the football club large credit for the run we’ve been on and how well we performed against Crystal Palace but there was none of that.
“We’ve gone and done the complete opposite from where we have been.
“We had a good go for the last 10 minutes but I expect that. If I’d have come in with a 2-2 or a 3-2 win, I’d be speaking in the exact same way. I just don’t like what I’ve watched.”
Leyton Orient remain on course for the Sky Bet League One play-offs after a 1-0 win which dented Wycombe’s hopes of automatic promotion.Randell Williams scored the only goal of the game and Orient’s victory, their fifth in succession, leaves them ahead of seventh-placed Reading on goal difference.Defeat for the Chairboys, though, has handed the initiative to Wrexham, who could seal the...
Doncaster clinched promotion to League One after goals from Rob Street and Billy Sharp secured a 2-1 win over 10-man Yorkshire rivals Bradford.In an incident-packed encounter in front of over 12,500 fans – the Eco-Power Stadium’s biggest crowd of the season – Doncaster hit the post through Jordan Gibson before on-loan Lincoln striker Street gave Rovers a 33rd-minute lead with his...
Reading’s hunt for a Sky Bet League One play-off spot will go to the final day of the season after the Royals beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 at the Memorial Stadium.Lewis Wing’s eighth league goal of the season after 67 minutes and Chem Campbell’s added-time effort leaves the Pirates staring at relegation after Noel Hunt’s side had to survive a first-half onslaught from the hosts....
Jamie Andrews struck a late equaliser as Woking twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Eastleigh in the National League.Tyrese Shade put the visitors in front after 14 minutes, played in on goal by Ben Close before finding the bottom corner of the net.Woking then drew level three minutes before the break when Aiden O’Brien headed in from Jacob Jones’ free-kick.Shade had Eastleigh back...
Port Vale secured automatic promotion to League One after beating AFC Wimbledon 2-0 at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.Second-half goals by Jayden Stockley and Jaheim Hedley ensured Vale would finish in the top three and also made a dent in the home side’s push for the play-offs.Vale created the first real attempt of the game which saw Lorent Tolaj fire over from 12 yards out following a cros...
Zian Flemming and Jeremy Sarmiento both scored twice as Burnley emphatically maintained their Championship title hopes by hammering QPR 5-0 in their penultimate match of the season.Josh Cullen also netted in a one-sided game as the Clarets, already promoted along with Leeds, won with ease to move to the top of the table, three points ahead of the Yorkshire side.However, Leeds, who are at home to B...
Nicolas Jackson ended his long goal drought to fire Chelsea a step nearer to the Champions League with a 1-0 win against Everton at Stamford Bridge.A dominant display was capped by the winning goal scored midway through the first half, the striker’s first since December 15 finished confidently from 20 yards past Jordan Pickford as though he had been scoring every week, as suspended head coac...
Celtic clinched the William Hill Premiership title in style with a 5-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.Nicolas Kuhn and substitute Adam Idah both hit doubles after Ryan Strain’s 30th-minute own-goal kicked off the rout.Celtic had only needed a point but they wrapped up their fourth consecutive championship in similar fashion to last year, when a 5-0 win at Kilmarnock earned Brendan R...
Chris Wilder labelled his side’s 2-0 win over Stoke a “proper away performance” as they got back to winning ways.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.An improved showing saw Sam McCallum, making just his eighth start of the campaign, score late in the first hal...
Goals from Sam McCallum and Andre Brooks ensured Sheffield United returned to winning ways with by beating Stoke 2-0.The Blades had seen their automatic promotion hopes ended after losing four of their previous five, including their last three matches away from Bramall Lane.McCallum had scored just one goal since his summer move from Norwich but popped up at the back post when Rhian Brewster&rsquo...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Cole Palmer’s girlfriend Connie Grace dazzles in low-cut top and mini skirt
- 3 Man Utd & Man City join PSG in race for Akliouche
- 4 We always have a chance – Miron Muslic bullish as Plymouth boost survival hopes
- 5 Tottenham to compete with Man City for defender
- 6 Ten-man Falkirk beaten by Raith as late goals keep title race alive
- 7 Big Brother legend Chanelle Hayes flaunts weight loss in red bikini
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola fumes over point claimed at 10-man Crystal Palace
- 10 Daily Laugh - Totttenham 1-2 N Forest