Reported by Eric Wood at Gigg Lane

Bury started the game vibrantly and had a good chance to create some havoc in the Grimsby back line when a quickly taken free kick set up Stephen Dawsonwith space on the edge of the area. Dawson though wasn't able to keep the ball in play as the ball went just out of play for a goal kick. Grimsby hadn't won a game in 23 games, so the visitors definitely had something to prove. On 5 minutes they nearly took the lead when Nick Hegarty found space just inside the penalty area to fire a good drive at goal, which the pursuing Efe Sodje was able to block and force wide for a corner.

The Shakers had proven this season that they are deadly from set pieces, and they nearly took the early lead on the 10 minute mark when Brian Barry-Murphy fired in one of his trademark curling corners and managed to find Efe Sodje just on the edge of the six yard box who had managed to out jump his marker. Sodje's header though was a little higher than desired as the ball flew just over the crossbar. The away side was back on the attack on 12 minutes when Jamie Clarke fired a low shot from close range towards the left corner of goal, but Wayne Brown remained strong and parried the ball away. Jamie Clarke picked up the rebound just on the edge of the area and looked to fire the ball in for a second attempt, but Paul Scott managed to close him down and deflect his cross out of play.

Grimsby took the bizarre lead on 18 minutes when a deep ball into the penalty area forced Ryan Cresswell to head the ball away. The ball though took an odd defection and the ball diverted towards goal. The Bury keeper Wayne Brown had come rushing off his line also in an attempt to claim the ball, which left the net wide open for Liam Trotter who was able to latch onto the falling ball and knock it into the empty net.

Goal Bury 0-1 Grimsby (Liam Trotter 18)

On 22 minutes Grimsby double their advantage when former on-loan Shaker Nathan Jarman received the ball just inside the penalty area and fired the ball first time. The shot flew past the frantic hand of Wayne Brown and into the top right hand corner of the goal to give Grimsby the two goal advantage.

Goal Bury 0-2 Grimsby (Nathan Jarman 22)

Bury went straight onto the attack looking to get themselves back into the game. On 30 minutes a deep cross caused the Grimsby keeper Phil Barnes to come rushing off his line looking to punch the ball clear. His clearance only went as far as Stephen Dawson who headed the ball back at goal looking to catch the keeper off guard, but the ball went just over the crossbar. The Shakers were given a lifeline on 35 minutes when Grimsby's J P Kalala was sent off for a second bookable offence when he challenged Paul Scott. The home side responded with a huge burst forward which gave Chris O'Grady with plenty of space just inside the area. O'Grady fired a good powerful drive at goal, which forced keeper Phil Barnes to tip the ball over the crossbar.

Despite the huge amounts of Bury pressure, Grimsby did have a chance to extend their lead further when they won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. The free kick was fired straight at goal, but the ball went just over the crossbar. With 2 minutes left in the first half Bury had another good chance when Dave Buchanan fired a good drive into the area. O'Grady tried to latch onto it, but the ball just had too much behind it as it flew past the striker and out wide.

Halftime: Bury 0-2 Grimsby

Bury came straight out onto the attack from the restart when Chris O'Grady fired a powerful shot from distance, but the ball went just over the Grimsby crossbar. On 47 minutes the home side was on the advance again when Stephen Dawson played a superb ball forward for Michael Jones, who decided to go for goal from outside the penalty area. Grimsby defender Tom Newry was able to close down Jones, and did just enough to force his shot over the crossbar.

On 56 minutes Bury were continuing to pile the pressure but were not getting the end result. On 57 minutes the ball fell to Chris O'Grady on the edge of the six yard box. O'Grady fired a low drive at goal, but the Grimsby keeper was able to make the diving save. The visitors had their first chance of the second half on 65 minutes when Liam Trotter fired a powerful shot from way outside the penalty area, which forced an uncomfortable save from Wayne Brown. Bury though returned to the attack on 70 minutes when Stephen Dawson fired a superb curling shot from just outside the penalty area, which keeper Phil Barnes was equal to as he made the good sprawling save near his left hand post.

Bury had another long range effort on 77 minutes when Stephen Dawson went for goal. The powerful shot had the Grimsby keeper beaten, but the ball went just wide of the left hand post. On 81 minutes Glynn Hurst nearly pulled a goal back when he fired a superb shot at goal on the volley from outside the area, but the ball went wide of the left hand post.

Fulltime: Bury 0-2 Grimsby

Bury: 1. Wayne Brown, 2. Paul Scott (c), 3. David Buchanan, 6. Ryan Cresswell, 7. Stephen Dawson, 11. Brian Barry-Murphy (8. Richie Baker 66), 14. Michael Jones (9. Glynn Hurst 79), 15. Chris O'Grady, 16. Efetobore Sodje, 18. Andy Morrell (12. Andy Bishop 45), 23. Elliott Bennett

Subs: 4. Steve Haslam, 8. Richie Baker, 9. Glynn Hurst, 10. Andy Bishop, 12. Danny Racchi

Grimsby: 1. Phil Barnes, 2. Robbie Stockdale, 3. Tom Newry, 4. Ryan Bennett (c), 9. Adam Proudlock (19. Danny North 87), 12. Jamie Clarke, 16. J P Kalala, 17. Nick Hegarty (11. Danny Boshell 61), 22. Nathan Jarman (18. Peter Bore 67), 24. Liam Trotter, 25. Robert Atkinson

Subs: 6. Richard Hope, 11. Danny Boshell, 13. Gary Montgomery, 18. Peter Bore, 19. Danny North

Attendance: 2,549 (321 Away)