Labouring through their own lethargy, Aldershot Town may have rescued a point but ultimately this was a missed opportunity.

Abject for the opening 45 minutes and fortunate to be just a single goal behind, they were galvanised for much of the second half but still relied on Adam Proudlock’s embarrassing penalty miss to avoid being the victims of Grimsby’s first win in 19 matches.

Danny Hylton proved the catalyst for The Shots’ resurgence, linking well with fellow substitute Marvin Morgan in a new 4-4-2 formation, and snatched the equaliser on 68 minutes. Morgan and Soares flicked on Jaimez-Ruiz’s long free kick and Hylton drove the ball into the far corner.

Hitherto, Aldershot had been pallid and unfamiliar – a loose collection of sickly individuals rather than a cohesive team – and Grimsby, simply by virtue of their organisation and work-rate, fully deserved the early lead given them by John Grant’s own goal.

Both sides searched for a late winner but – once Proudlock had spurned the opportunity given him after Sandell was adjudged to have handled Bore’s cross – neither side got any closer than Bozanic’s precise shot, which was well saved by Colgan.

Frustratingly short of ideas, Aldershot will need to display massive improvements if they are to remain serious play off contenders.