KEVIN Ellison marked his 300th Morecambe appearance with a goal as the Shrimps claimed a vital three points.
Ellison opened the scoring for the Shrimps in the 10th minute of the game which was his 300th appearance when you include all the times he has been on the bench since becoming Jim Bentley’s first signing.
It was also a landmark for Aaron McGowan who was making his 100th appearance for the club after being denied the landmark at Accrington on New Year’s Day.
First half goals from Ellison and Steven Old gave the Shrimps a solid platform and despite a second half rally from the home side they never looked like losing their lead as they picked up another excellent three points.
Grimsby started brightly with lively winger Siriki Dembele playing a low ball across the box that just needed a touch. Luke Summerfield let fly from distance with a shot that flew over the bar.
After the early threat the Shrimps took the lead from their first real opening. Luke Conlan sent on a cross from the left and it bounced nicely for the unmarked Ellison, who had the simple task of looping a header over Jake Kean and into the net.
Michael Rose when tested Kean from a free kick before the excellent Vadaine Oliver forced the Grimsby keeper into a neat save with a well worked shot from the edge of the area.
Grimsby’s only reply of note was a Summerfield shot past the post before the Shrimps took control with Ellison curling an effort wide before being heavily involved in the Shrimps’ second. Rose swung in a corner which Ellison headed against the crossbar before the ball bounced straight to Old who bundled it over from close range.
After being booed off at the break Grimsby came out fighting for the second half and were denied an early goal when Danny Collins’s header was superbly cleared off the line by Aaron McGowan. Dembele then forced Barry Roche into a superb save low to his right with a shot from the edge of the box as Grimsby’s frustration grew.
As the Mariners pushed forward they left gaps at the back and the Shrimps almost took advantage with Keen saving well from Oliver and Ellison before the later saw a curling effort cleared off the line by Nathan Clarke with Keen beaten.
Grimsby continued to press but the Shrimps defended superbly and collected another valuable three points.
Grimsby: Kean, Mills, Davies, Clarke, Collins, Rose (rep Jaiyesmi 82), Dembele, Summerfield, Woolford, Matt (rep Vernon 76), Jones (rep Hooper 60)
Subs not used: Killip, Dixon, Osborne, Berrett
Morecambe: Roche, Old, Müller, Lavelle, McGowan, Conlan, Kenyon, Rose, Lang (rep Wildig 61), Oliver, Ellison (rep Thompson 89)
Subs: Maher, Brough, Lund, Campbell, McGurk