Two second-half goals from Matt Jansen ensured that Blackburncontinued on
their way to automatic promotion to the Premiership.
A spirited performance at a wet Blundell Park by Grimsby could do little to
bridge the gulf in class between the two teams.
Livewire striker Jansen's double strike puts them four points clear of north
west rivals Bolton with just three games remaining.
Blackburn had netted twice in the first half to lead through David Dunn and
Eyal Berkovic before a second half strike by Luke Cornwall gave the home fans
some hope.
But Jansen's clinical finishing was the real difference between the two sides
as Blackburn continued on their way to the promised land and Grimsby continued
to watch for other results in their fight against relegation.
Grimsby started the more lively and had efforts from Steve Livingstone, with
two shots, and also Alan Pouton and Tony Gallimore to show for their efforts in
the first half hour.
Blackburn were a lot more cautious and had little to show for their early
controlled play as the home side more than matched them for effort.
As the half hour approached Blackburn began to come more into the game but
Dunn put a header wide and Henning Berg shot wide after the ball was cut back
into his path.
But Blackburn made no mistake after 35 minutes when Jansen cut the ball back
for Dunn to shoot.
The mistake came from home keeper Danny Coyne when he let the harmless looking
shot slip through his hands.
Blackburn were two up five minutes before the break when Damien Johnson
crossed from the right and Berkovic rose unmarked to put a header into the
corner.
Blackburn looked a lot more businesslike in the second half and twice forced
efforts which Coyne did well to keep out.
Jansen needed no second invitation just before the hour when he beat the
offside trap to place a low shot across goal wide of Coyne and into the opposite
corner.
But Grimsby, still needing at least a point to ensure First Division survival,
got one back within two minutes when Pouton crossed from the right.
Livingstone's header looked little danger to the visitors' goal but Cornwall
was first to the ball and he shot home from close range to beat Brad Friedel.
Mark Hughes was lucky to escape a booking when he clearly dived in the area
and shortly afterwards was replaced by Marcus Bent.
Peter Handyside was booked for a clumsy challenge on Jansen and Craig Short
also had his name taken for a foul on Kevin Donovan.
Blackburn's Craig Hignett should have done better when he shot straight at
Coyne and manager Graeme Souness clearly felt the same when he replaced Hignett
with Keith Gillespie shortly afterwards.
With time running out Blackburn crowned their victory as Berkovic played Bent
through on the right and although the striker looked offside he was allowed to
cross low for Jansen who slid in with both feet to force the ball over the line
for his second goal of the night.
Grimsby tried their best to get what would have been a consolation goal but
Pouton shot wide from Cornwall's knock down when he was well placed.
With the likes of Bent and Gillespie able to come off the bench it was clear
that Blackburn's class would tell in the end.
But Grimsby face a nervous wait before securing their First Division
survival.
With a visit to play-off hopefuls Birmingham and a home match to champions
Fulham on the final day of the season, the Mariners have the most difficult
run-in of all the teams who could still join Tranmere and Queens Park Rangers as
the sides relegated from the First Division.
Teams:
Grimsby: Coyne, McDermott, Gallimore, Handyside, Groves,
Donovan, Butterfield, Pouton, Campbell, Livingstone, Cornwall.
Subs Not Used: David Smith, Jeffrey, Clare, Hyldgaard, Willems.
Booked: Handyside.
Goals: Cornwall 60.
Blackburn: Friedel, Curtis, Johnson, Berg, Short (Taylor 78),
Hignett (Gillespie 74), Flitcroft, Dunn, Berkovic, Jansen,
Hughes (Bent 62).
Subs Not Used: Filan, Keller.
Booked: Short, Dunn.
Goals: Dunn 35, Berkovic 39, Jansen 58, 87.
Att: 6,507
Ref: S Mathieson (Stockport).
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