Grimsby retained first division status for another year, as a 27th minute goal
from skipper Paul Groves gave them a comfortable 1-0 victory over champions Fulham.
Needing just a point to guarantee safety, the Mariners adopted a pragmatic approach
against a disinterested Fulham side, thundering into every early challenge, and
slowing the game to walking pace when in possession.
At times Jean Tigana's Premiership-bound men played as though Blundell Park was
an irksome stop-off point on the road to the more salubrious venues which will
host their weekly fare next season, and they never got to grips with Grimsby's
limited but industrious approach.
Had Louis Saha managed to convert the game's best chance after 20 minutes, however,
the home side might have been forced to play with a little more urgency.
Newly-capped Portuguese Luis Boa Morte, whose leggy enthusiasm shone like a beacon
amidst his team-mates' ambivalence, unleashed Saha with a perfectly measured through-ball,
but the 32-goal striker merely prodded a shot against the out-rushing Danny Coyne,
before poking a meek effort wide of the upright when the ball rebounded to his
feet.
At the other end Steve Livingstone, Grimsby's leading scorer with an unspectacular
7 goals, made up in endeavour what he may lack in grace, shielding the ball manfully
and running the channels unselfishly.
Livingstone almost opened the scoring on 23 minutes, controlling a long throw
before turning on the corner of the 6-yard box to fire a diagonal shoot which
shaved the upright.
Just 4 minutes later, though, more good work from the Grimsby frontman created
the opening from which Groves fired home the winner.
Receiving a lay-off 25 yards from goal the Mariners' captain struck a low drive
of no great threat towards the middle of the goal.
Fulham keeper Marcus Hahnemann, though, making only his fourth start of the season,
remained rooted to the spot, offering only a feeble flick of the legs in resistance
and allowing the ball to arrow between them.
That was the end of any meaningful action, with Lennie Lawrence's men unwilling
to take advantage of Fulham's insipid defending and the Cottagers offering no
clue to their potential Premiership credentials.
The second half was notable only for a string of sentimental substitutions - Blundell
Park favourite David Smith appearing for 10 minutes - and a smattering of silly
challenges, and the Grimsby and Fulham fans amused themselves with alternate chants
of 'We're staying up' and 'We're going up' in celebration of their club's respective
achievements.
Grimsby Coyne, McDermott, Gallimore, Raven, Groves, Butterfield, Donovan,
Livingstone, Pouton, Campbell (David Smith 82), Willems (Burnett 74).
Subs Not Used: Hyldgaard, Jeffrey, Allen.
Booked: Gallimore.
Goals: Groves 27.
Fulham Hahnemann, Finnan, Melville, Goma, Phelan, Goldbaek (Betsy 65),
Clark, Davis, Stolcers (Hayles 56), Boa Morte, Saha.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Symons, Trollope.
Booked: Boa Morte.
Att: 8,706
Ref: P Rejer (Tipton).