Grimsby 0-1 Sheff Utd

Ndlovu: Scored United's only goal

Grimsby's bid for Division One safety suffered a setback with a narrow home defeat by Sheffield United.

Peter Ndlovu's 40th-minute header was enough to halt the Blades' run of five games without a win.

Ndlovu should have had at hat-trick while Steve Livingstone twice went close for the Mariners.

United had dominated the first half, when they had a string of chances.

Paul Devlin was a constant threat to Grimsby down the right and his 28th-minute cross saw Bobby Ford head just over the bar.

Grimsby could not keep possession for long periods and relied on isolated breaks.

Talia in good form

One came in the 32nd minute when Stuart Campbell cut in from the left and fired in a low right-foot shot which went a foot wide of Frank Talia's near post.

After Ford had volleyed over for United, their domination told and they swept into a deserved lead.

Ben Doane, making his debut, was allowed to advance unchallenged before picking out Ndlovu with a cross to the far post, and the striker directing a firm header past Danny Coyne and in-off the far post.

United should have made it 2-0 two minutes later when Ndlovu got in behind the Grimsby defence to collect another Doane ball but the striker stumbled as he shot and his effort was saved by Coyne.

Grimsby stepped up the pace after the break and Luke Cornwall and Livingstone both brought smart saves out of Talia.

The Blades should have scored in the 62nd minute when Devlin robbed Peter Handyside out on the left and released Ndlovu, who had only Coyne to beat, but dragged a left-foot shot just wide.

Livingstone continued to be Grimsby's main hope and he went close when he got a fortunate ricochet off defender Keith Curle but saw the ball go just over the bar.

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Grimsby: Coyne, McDermott, Gallimore, Handyside, Groves, Willems, Pouton, Campbell, Livingstone, Cornwall, Donovan. Subs: Hyldgaard, Clare, Butterfield, Jeffrey, David Smith.

Sheff Utd: Talia, Murphy, Curle, Morrison, Devlin, Doane, Jagielka, Ford, Ullathorne, Asaba, Ndlovu. Subs: Kelly, Montgomery, Tonge, Kozluk, Uhlenbeek.

Referee: W Burns (Scarborough).