Livewire Jack Lester brought a sterile game to life with Grimsby's first goal
in five home games against QPR.
The striker, a second half substitute, ran onto a beautifully chipped pass
from midfielder Wayne Burnett and fired under the advancing Ludek Miklosko in
the Rangers goal.
It was only Grimsby's second win in 11 matches and was just the tonic after
Saturday's 4-1 drubbing at the hands of lowly Bristol City. The defeat leaves
Rangers still anxiously looking over their shoulders nervously at the relegation
trap door.
Alan Buckley's Mariners came closest to opening the scoring in the first half
when a corner from Kingsley Black caused confusion in the QPR box.
Karl Ready headed out of Miklosko's hands and when the ball eventually fell to
Stacy Coldicott his shot through a crowded penalty area struck the bottom of the
upright.
Prior to that Grimsby's record signing Lee Ashcroft had sent in a stinging
shot from outside the box which almost had Rangers' Czech keeper embarrassed.
The ball hit him on the chest but fortunately he was able to watch it bounce to
safety.
Rangers had chances of their own in the opening period. Kevin Gallen saw a
header from a Chris Kiwomya cross go just wide of the post and then Kiwomya
passed up what looked like a glorious opportunity, completely mis-kicking
six-yards out after Gallen had played him in.
There were good chances for both sides at the beginning of the second half.
Grimsby keeper Andy Love had to dive smartly to turn the ball around his post
after a good turn and cross from Gavin Peacock and then at the other end Lester
hit a shot across the face of the QPR goal from a good position on the right.
The young striker was then brought down by Andy Linighan on the edge of the
box but Black's curling free kick drifted over the bar without troubling
Miklosko.
Buckley's switch finally paid off in the 71st minute with Lester grabbing the
glorious winner.
Teams
Grimsby: Love, Butterfield, Gallimore, Livingstone, Lever,
Burnett, Coldicott (Lester 54), Black, Ashcroft, Nogan, Groves.
Subs Not Used: Clare, Chapman.Goals: Lester 72.
QPR: Miklosko, Breacker, Linighan (Slade 75),
Darlington (Rowland 80), Ready, Maddix, Murray, Peacock,
Kulcsar (Baraclough 80), Gallen, Kiwomya.Booked: Kulcsar.
Att: 4,789
Ref: C Foy (St Helens).
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