Grimsby Town 1 (Jones)
Burton Albion 2 (Corbett, Phillips)
DATE: Saturday 10th October 2009 | COMPETITION: Coca-Cola League Two | VENUE: Blundell Park | ATT: 4002
The Mariners’ dismal league form continued with a 2-1 home defeat to Football League new boys Burton Albion.
The Brewers claimed all three points in Cleethorpes despite going behind after just five minutes at Blundell Park. Chris Jones had already forced Artur Krysiak into a flying save with a testing cross when he put the Polish ‘keeper under pressure from a back pass.
The Birmingham loanee only succeeded in launching his kick into the back of the Welsh striker, the ball spinning back into the empty net. The Mariners then had two great chances to extend the lead.
Peter Sweeney curled in a low free kick from the right, which Ryan Bennett diverted goalwards, Krysiak redeeming himself with a low save. From the resulting corner, Albion failed to clear and Paul Linwood lashed over from six yards with goal at his mercy.
The hosts were made to pay for this generosity on ten minutes. The dangerous Jimmy Phillips got to by-line and pulled the ball back for the waiting Richard Walker, who missed his kick. The ball ran kindly for the unmarked Andrew Corbett who netted from six yards.
The visitors had their tails up and took the lead with a well-worked goal on 31 minutes. Michael Simpson found himself in space after some slick passing had cut open the Town defence and he fed Phillips who rifled into the roof of the goal on his right foot.
It should have been three shortly after but Walker sent his close range header the wrong side of Nick Colgan’s post when unmarked.
Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro was introduced at the break for goalscorer Jones but it was the visitors who almost stretched their lead. Walker burst through the centre of the home defence but was denied by the feet of Colgan.
Then Greg Pearson turned Bradley Wood and Bennett inside out but only succeeded in firing straight at Colgan. A further change for the Mariners saw Danny North introduced to the fray on 58 minutes and he had an immediate impact.
The 22-year-old striker raced clear of the Burton backline but saw Krysiak smother his low drive. Colgan then denied Phillips at the other end as Burton looked to stretch their advantage.
Another Town substitute, Peter Bore, went on a mazy run before unleashing a powerful 25-yard drive that Krysiak gathered at the second attempt, before the Polish Under-19 International denied North again.
