Manager Ian Holloway says Grimsby Town made ‘another step forward’ in their 2-2 Sky Bet League Two draw with Forest Green Rovers at Blundell Park.

The Mariners took the lead through Charles Vernam’s second goal of the week on 19 minutes, before Odin Bailey equalised for Mark Cooper’s side with a superb strike 13 minutes later.

The visitors got themselves in front through Jack Aitchison five minutes into the second half, before Burnley loanee Anthony Glennon scored his first professional league goal on 53 minutes.

And Holloway was pleased to see more signs of progress in Town’s performance.

He said: “Whoever’s bought a ticket today is going to be delighted with that performance, and the game itself.

“I thought their first goal, from Odin Bailey, was completely worth paying the money for – it didn’t look like we were in any trouble, and he was on the edge of the box.

“I don’t think he could have struck it any cleaner than that ever, and it ripped in.

“But our goal was as good as that – the move right from back to front – I was delighted with it.

“But we lost our way a little bit in the first half because we were waiting for people, instead of dominating them and starting the moves.

“They forgot the main thing – we get it one side or the other, so I had to clarify that at half time.

“Full credit to them for going ahead, but then we scored another great goal.

“It was a great move – my left-back, Anthony Glennon, was in the box and he’s got his first league goal.

“If you’d have offered me four points out of the last six, after what happened at Crawley, I would have ripped your arm off.

“More to the point – it’s about the performance, I think that’s another step forward in our performance, and our lads are gradually growing.

“And next week they’ll see the type of lads I’ve brought in – we’re going to play, we’re going to play, and we’re going to play, and hopefully they’ll get more and more comfortable with it.”

Holloway also praised his attacking players for their performances in recent weeks, with Town scoring seven goals in their previous three league games.

He said: “James Hanson is running on empty a little bit, but he’s an absolutely fantastic player.

“I like the fact the big man knows Billy Clarke, and Billy’s looking terrific.

“Charles Vernam is looking beautiful. One of his turns there, the kid went and bought a haddock and chips – or a pie, whatever he eats – he sold him such a dummy it was unbelievable!

“It was like ‘Hang on, where’s he gone?’ And it’s beautiful.

“There were lots of little bits and pieces that I really liked – Josh Benson had a fantastic game.

“Elliott Whitehouse had a little bit of a blow-out at the end, but I still want him to have it.

“He’s still doing really well – he’s scored a couple of goals recently – and he’s trying to learn something new for me, so I don’t moan if he gives one away.

“And I don’t want anyone else to moan or groan that he’s given one away.”