FOREST Green Rovers' hopes of staying in the Football League were dealt another blow as they lost 1-0 at fellow strugglers Grimsby Town on Saturday.

Harvey Rodgers scored the winner early on at Blundell Park to secure Grimsby's first win in eight matches and move them six points clear of the relegation zone, whilst Forest Green remain five points adrift of safety in second bottom.

Grimsby settled first and went 1-0 up in the eighth minute when Rodgers looped over Vicente Reyes from the edge of the penalty area.

Chances were at a premium for the remainder of the first half with Rovers midfielder Emmanuel Osadebe dragging a half-volley narrowly wide.

Harvey Bunker took aim upon the restart as Rovers pushed and probed for a way back into what was an all-important relegation showdown.

At the other end, a wayward strike from substitute Kieran Green was as close as Grimsby came to extending their advantage, while Jamie Robson struck over with the last kick to leave Rovers five points adrift in their quest for English Football League survival.

Having been unbeaten in three of their last four, Rovers' momentum comes to an end. They have eleven games to save themselves