Grimsby broke their six-match goal drought but still could not fashion a victory against high-flying Manchester City.

The Mariners have not won in seven games but went close to halting City's promotion surge.

They had the Sky Blues on the back foot after Alan Pouton had equalised Spencer Prior's early opener.

But Steve Livingstone and Lee Ashcroft both squandered good chances.

Joe Royle's side made a lightning start and went ahead with a well-worked goal in the sixth minute.

Mark Kennedy's free kick from the left was headed back by Richard Jobson and the unmarked Prior nodded home.

Grimsby roared back and levelled with Pouton's first goal for the club.

Nicky Weaver could only parry Ashcroft's cross from the right and Pouton volleyed in at the far post.

Kennedy then went close for City with a right foot shot which drifted just wide.

Prior saved his side in the 59th minute when he just got in front of Livingstone as the striker was about to head home David Smith's cross.

As Grimsby took over, Stacy Coldicott fired straight at Weaver and then a great tackle by Jobson denied Ashcroft who looked sure to score.

Then Livingstone was played clear by Kevin Donovan but shot tamely at Weaver.

The game's most controversial incident came seven minutes from time when Donovan, racing clear, was hauled down from behind by Danny Tiatto.

It was an apparent red card offence but referee David Laws angered the home crowd by waving play on.

In the closing minutes Shaun Goater had the ball in the net for City but his effort was ruled offside.

Then Grimsby keeper Danny Coyne beat away Kennedy's close range shot.

Teams:

Grimsby: Coyne, Butterfield, Lever, Groves, Gallimore, Donovan, Coldicott, Pouton, D. Smith, Ashcroft, Clare (Livingstone 55).

Subs Not Used: Croudson, Allen, Black, Bloomer.

Goals: Pouton 16.

Man City: Weaver, Edghill, Jobson, Prior, Tiatto, J. Whitley, Wiekens, Horlock (Bishop 55), Kennedy, Dickov (Mills 63), Goater.

Subs Not Used: Wright, Pollock, Granville.

Goals: Prior 6.

Att: 8,166

Ref: D Laws (Whitley Bay).