Nottingham Forest were held to a goalless draw by Grimsby for the second time
this season - and it was easy to see why.
Both sides struggled for any creativity and chances were few and far between.
But the point will at least mean something to a Grimsby side desperate for any
pickings to move out of the First Division relegation zone.
The draw, however, was of little use to a Forest side still harbouring outside
hopes of gate-crashing the play-off positions.
There were also pleasing points for Grimsby in the debut performances of
on-loanarlton pair Andy Todd and Martin Pringle.
Todd got stronger as the game progressed and Pringle had his moments when he
looked capable of unlockinghe Forest defence.
He was first to threaten with a left-foot drive in the ninth minute that flew
over the crossbar after good work by the lively Michael Boulding, who had robbed
Forest midfielder Gareth Williams.
Former Grimsby striker Jack Lester was denied by goalkeeper Danny Coyne and
soon afterwards Marlon Harewood, looking for his fourth goal in successive
matches, drilled a right-foot shot a yard wide.
Forest's main driving force came from England Under-21 star David Prutton, but
his long, penetrating run was ended when John McDermott intervened to put the
ball past his own post.
Andy Reid and Jim Brennan combined to set-up a rare Forest chance but Harewood
just failed to connect in front of goal.
The second-half was livelier than the first as both sides stepped up the tempo
in pursuit of a late winner.
Brennan forced a save from Coyne following a left-foot volley and at the other
end Pringle released Boulding but he blazed his right-foot shot wide.
Pringle again threatened a priceless goal after Boulding had flicked on a
cross from player-manager Paul Groves but a superb tackle by Matthieu Louis-Jean
rescued Forest.
With time running out Lester almost had the final say but just failed to make
contact with a Reid cross after he had been picked out by German youngster Eugen
Bopp.
Teams:
Nottm Forest: Ward, Louis-Jean, Hjelde (Scimeca 45), Thompson,
Brennan, Summerbee (Cash 75), Williams, Prutton, Reid, Lester,
Harewood (Bopp 75).
Subs Not Used: Roche, Jones.
Grimsby: Coyne, McDermott, Todd, Groves, Gallimore,
Butterfield, Pouton, Burnett, Campbell, Pringle (Allen 87),
Boulding.
Subs Not Used: Croudson, Ford, Jevons, David Smith.
Att: 21,081
Ref: H Webb (Rotherham).
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