A confident and disciplined performance earned the Mariners their third win in a row with a fantastic away victory over Sky Bet League Two leaders Gillingham.

Kieran Green’s first-half goal proved to be the difference between the two sides as Town followed up Saturday’s success at Carlisle United to earn another hugely impressive three points on the road.

Gillingham started on the front foot but their visitors quickly grew into the game and after Green gave them the lead, a brave display full of spirit and determination brought the deserved reward of a first Grimsby win at MEMS Priestfield Stadium since 1997.

Goalkeeper Jackson Smith came straight into the starting line-up after joining Town on a seven-day emergency loan from Barnsley. He replaced the injured Jake Eastwood, while Green returned from suspension as Jason Svanthorsson and Lewis Cass were both restored to the XI after beginning Saturday’s win in Cumbria on the bench.

Doug Tharme, Tyrell Warren and Donovan Wilson were the others to come out of the team as head coach David Artell made four changes for the long trip to Kent.

Smith lined up in goal, with Cass preferred to Tyrell Warren at right-back as Harvey Rodgers, Cameron McJannet and Denver Hume made up the defence. George McEachran and Evan Khouri sat behind Green in central midfield, with Svanthorsson and Luca Barrington supporting striker Danny Rose from the wings.

Warren, Tharme and Wilson were all named on the bench, alongside Seb Auton, Rekeil Pyke, Callum Ainley and Cameron Gardner.

Gillingham came into the game looking for a victory which would see them keep their position at the top of the league table, with Mark Bonner’s side boasting a record of six wins, one draw and just one defeat from their eight outings so far.

The hosts started brightly and immediately looked to put Town under pressure. A 20-yard strike from Ethan Coleman missed the target but the referee ruled he had been fouled in the act of shooting. The free kick hit the Grimsby wall though, and a foul on Rose eventually provided some respite for the away defence.

A long throw from defender Shadrach Ogie was well-dealt with, then a Town free kick for a foul on Green led to the ball being headed through to home keeper Glenn Morris.

Town were coming into the game as the 10-minute mark passed and a great cross from Barrington on the left led to their first corner, although Hume’s delivery from the flag was cleared.

McJannet did well to beat striker Elliott Nevitt to a left-wing cross and head the ball away for a corner on 15 minutes and from it, Smith made his first save as the ball from the flag was hooked back across goal for Max Ehmer to head at the keeper.

After working their way into the match, the away side were growing in confidence and playing some great football, with a McEachran through-ball almost picking Svanthorsson out following a patient build-up.

And with 21 minutes on the clock, the Mariners took the lead. Hume went on a brilliant run through the middle before looking up and sliding a perfect ball through for Green, who kept his composure to slot past Morris from the edge of the box.

McJannet was shown the first yellow card of the evening for a heavy challenge on Jack Nolan, although the resulting free kick did not lead to a chance in front of goal.

A deflection on a low effort from Ogie soon afterwards brought a Gillingham corner but again, it was well-defended by Town and a quick press forced the home side back.

Hume cleared a low cross from Jonny Williams, then a ball into the box from deep on the right went through to Smith as the hosts looked to get themselves level before half-time.

But they were being frustrated by a controlled and hard-working Mariners display and a corner from the home right was cleared at the near post as another attack was repelled.

Smith got a touch to a powerful cross from Nolan to get the ball away for another corner on 42 minutes and the keeper was first to the ball from the flag to punch clear, then the offside flag went up as it was played back into the box.

Cass was off-target at the other end after great play by Green and Barrington and after one added minute at the end of the half, Town’s advantage remained intact at the break.

SECOND HALF

No changes were made before the restart and McEachran sent a low shot wide of the far post from 20 yards as the Mariners created the first opening of the second half.

Morris was booked for delaying a Town throw-in to give himself time to get back after running the ball out of play, then Hume was also shown the yellow card after a late challenge on Nolan.

A great block by Rodgers was followed by a commanding header by the centre-back from the resulting throw as the hosts continued to come forward, then a long throw found its way to Nevitt but he was denied by Smith.

A deflected 25-yard strike from Khouri looped through to Morris, before Jayden Clarke beat Cass at the other end and crossed for Nevitt but the striker could only volley over the bar.

George Lapslie replaced Williams for Gillingham in the game’s first substitution on 62 minutes, then a Robbie McKenzie cross was held by Smith at the second attempt.

Nolan fired harmlessly wide from distance soon afterwards and that gave Town the opportunity to make their first two changes, with Pyke and Gardner replacing Svanthorsson and Barrington.

Pyke’s first action saw him receive a yellow card for kicking the ball away but the Mariners were soon on the attack again, with Khouri winning a corner on the left. Hume’s delivery was headed clear.

Wilson replaced Rose on 73 minutes, with Timothee Dieng and Joe Gbode coming on for Coleman and Clarke in the blue of Gillingham at the same time.

Oliver Hawkins was sent on in place of Ogie as the hosts added an extra attacker in a bid to rescue a positive result, then Green became the latest to see the yellow card for a foul.

Dieng missed the target from close range after a corner was not fully dealt with, then Wilson was also off-target when he let fly from distance after a great pass from Green.

Green was then replaced by Tharme with three minutes to go after a superb, all-action performance from the midfielder.

Khouri picked up a booking for delaying a free kick, then McJannet put in a magnificent block to deny Lapslie from the edge of the box.

Town were forced to endure a minimum of seven added minutes as they looked to hold onto their precious lead, with every man in the yellow and red away kit fully committed to the cause.

Tharme cleared a corner from the home right as the hosts poured forward, then a cross from the left was confidently claimed by Smith.

Smith was also first to a cross from Gbode on the right and Gillingham kept attacking but there was no way through for them.

Instead, it was to be Town’s night and after Pyke won a corner on the right, the Mariners were able to see out the remainder of the contest and seal a famous and fully deserved victory.

Next up is a return to Blundell Park, where Doncaster Rovers will be the visitors for a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday.

Town: Smith, Cass, Rodgers, McJannet, Hume, McEachran, Khouri, Green (Tharme, 87), Svanthorsson (Pyke, 65), Rose (Wilson, 73), Barrington (Gardner, 65)