Grimsby Town looked the 'more likely winners' during second half of defeat at Harrogate Town, says Paul Hurst

Paul Hurst said that his Grimsby Town side "deserved a point" from Saturday's clash with Harrogate Town and felt that the Mariners looked "more likely winners" before falling behind.
Harrogate Town winger Simon Power and Grimsby Town's Rollin Menayese in action during Saturday's League Two clash at the EnviroVent Stadium. Picture: Matt KirkhamHarrogate Town winger Simon Power and Grimsby Town's Rollin Menayese in action during Saturday's League Two clash at the EnviroVent Stadium. Picture: Matt Kirkham
Harrogate Town winger Simon Power and Grimsby Town's Rollin Menayese in action during Saturday's League Two clash at the EnviroVent Stadium. Picture: Matt Kirkham

Mark Beck's 77th-minute header from Ryan Fallowfield's right-wing cross ultimately decided a game which the Sulphurites undoubtedly had the better of.

But, having failed to capitalise on a dominant first-half display, it did seem as if the hosts were beginning to run out of both steam and ideas until Beck arrived from the substitutes' bench to settle matters.

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"I think that overall we deserved a point from the game. We battled hard against a team who are very difficult to play against, especially at home on this surface. We know that you have to defend lots of balls into the box and we did a lot of that," Hurst said, speaking after Grimsby's 1-0 loss.

Mariners boss Paul Hurst. Picture: Getty ImagesMariners boss Paul Hurst. Picture: Getty Images
Mariners boss Paul Hurst. Picture: Getty Images

"We changed formation to deal with what Harrogate throw at you. Getting the three centre-backs on the pitch, I think we needed that because of the amount of balls that were into the box, the long throw-in from Dan Jones as well. We've headed a lot of balls and defended well for a large part of it. They do ask loads of questions of you.

"I thought that we had almost got to a point, to be honest, where we had almost took all that they were gonna throw at us and, if anything, I thought that we looked the more likely winners at that stage.

"I felt we were the ones getting on top of the game. We had our chances but didn't take any and ultimately that leaves us with nothing."

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Even after falling behind, Grimsby did create a couple of decent opportunities to get themselves back into the contest and, although he was disappointed his own players' execution, Hurst acknowledged that Harrogate played some effective football, while also applauding Beck's match-winning contribution.

"They're good at what they do," the Mariners chief added.

"We are always critical of our team and that's what I'm interested in, but there are two teams out there and other sides have found it difficult recently against Harrogate.

"I watched a very good Carlisle team get beat here. I don't think it's an easy place to come and with their style of play it's hard to stay on top all the time. They're always gonna have spells in the game.

"You have to give credit to Beck, it's a good header. For someone of his size, it's easy just to stand in there but he was on the move, got across the near post and it's a good header.

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"It's fine margins and today we're on the wrong side of it."

Hurst was less complimentary about the EnviroVent Stadium pitch, which looked in a bad way after the players had finished their pre-match warm-ups and only got worse as the afternoon progressed.

“You can see the pitch, it cuts up straight away," he said.

"On this pitch you certainly can't play a passing game and a normal game, I think it is getting ripped up again at the end of the season. It's very sandy, very bobbly."