Mansfield defeat a game too far for Grimsby Town as Neal Bishop escapes red card

Grimsby Town's winning run over the festive period is over after their 1-0 defeat at home to Mansfield Town earlier this afternoon.

Neal Bishop's first half header was all that separated the two sides in the end in a hard-fought battle at Blundell Park.

Here, sports writer James Findlater takes a look at some of the key talking points to come from the defeat...

A GAME TOO FAR

There can be no denying the Mariners’ effort in defeat against Mansfield, as they worked their socks off to try and find a way back into the game.

Ultimately, though, injuries, suspensions and a physically demanding festive schedule perhaps took their toll on Town.

After away days at Port Vale and Exeter in the space of just a few days, an early kick-off on New Year’s Day would have been the last thing Michael Jolley and his players would have wanted.

Add to that the injury crisis in defence and Alex Whitmore’s red card on Saturday leading to an even more makeshift look to the back four, and the fact that Town were still as competitive as they were is practically a minor miracle.

Given a proper week’s rest, it’s not inconceivable that the Mariners could have got more from the game – in the end, though, it was perhaps just a game too far.