TRANMERE manager Nigel Adkins felt his side worked hard, but lacked a cutting edge after they fell to a 1-0 home defeat against Grimsby Town. 

A second half strike from on-loan Coventry forward Justin Obikwu was the difference as The Mariners recorded a fourth consecutive win on the road.

Luke Morris twice had opportunities to open the scoring for Rovers – and on both occasions was denied by Jackson Smith in the Town goal.

The visitors' chances were limited and their best opportunity to break the deadlock before half time fell to Obikwu, whose close range header flew over.

Town were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute after Cameron Norman handled, but skipper Danny Rose saw his spot-kick saved by Rovers keeper Luke McGee.

The deadlock, though, was broken just before the hour mark when McGee lost possession outside of his area and Obikwu calmly slotted the ball home from a tight angle.

“The passion from the players and the fans was there for all to see tonight,” said Adkins. 

“They worked hard and grafted really well and the physical data we have got shows the players have worked their socks off tonight and to put that performance in after the weekend was a credit to the lads.

“From my point of view there was some real good football played tonight and some really committed football from our lads.”

Adkins added: “In the cold light of day we will reflect on the game when the passion is not as high as it is now.

“I think the players deserved a lot more out of the game for all of their effort, commitment and good football they have played tonight.”

Grimsby boss David Artell praised his players’ commitment after the win saw them move up into the Sky Bet League Two play-off places with Tranmere now 18th in the table with just three wins from 12 games and only seven goals scored this season. 

“It is another clean sheet and another three points and it is now four away wins on the spin,” Grimsby boss Artell said.

“Justin took his goal unbelievably well and we just about shaded it. He could have had a two or three tonight, but one will do.”

Artell added: “What you can’t fault is any of the lads’ commitment, effort, endeavour and graft, all those things that don’t always happen.

“They are together as a bunch and the fans are right behind us who came in their hundreds tonight and were unbelievable, so all in all it was a good night.

“Now, the lads have got to back that up so we are recording consecutive victories away and at home.”