Match ends, Grimsby Town 1, Chesterfield 0.
Grimsby's first win in 21 games saw them take a huge step towards securing their League Two place for next season and send Chesterfield to the bottom of the table.
The Mariners' first success of 2018 - and since Michael Jolley took over the reins - leaves them seven points clear of their opponents.
Mitch Rose kept his cool, under the most intense pressure, to score a decisive penalty two minutes from time.
It was a cagey opening 45 minutes but the visitors did enjoy a late wave of pressure.
Mariners goalkeeper James McKeown denied Andy Kellett twice in quick succession, before making a smart save from leading scorer Kristian Dennis.
At the other end, the recalled JJ Hooper might have done better after turning past his man and firing straight at Aaron Ramsdale.
Upon the restart, Grimsby skipper Nathan Clarke went close with a header from six yards.
Chesterfield had forged the better opportunities before half-time, but it was a different story after the break.
Drew Talbot was penalised for handball late on, with Rose stepping up to send Ramsdale the wrong way, sparking jubilant scenes in Cleethorpes.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Grimsby
Formation 4-4-2
- 1McKeown
- 31Hall-Johnson
- 5Clarke
- 6Collins
- 23FoxBooked at 53mins
- 27DembeleBooked at 68minsSubstituted forMcSheffreyat 75'minutes
- 8RoseBooked at 88mins
- 19Summerfield
- 25WoolfordBooked at 55mins
- 21VernonSubstituted forCardwellat 71'minutes
- 9HooperSubstituted forJaiyesimiat 68'minutes
Substitutes
- 4McAllister
- 10McSheffrey
- 12Mills
- 17Cardwell
- 20Jaiyesimi
- 29Matt
- 30Killip
Chesterfield
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Ramsdale
- 27Barry
- 35Nelson
- 33Whitmore
- 22TalbotBooked at 90mins
- 25ReedBooked at 79mins
- 28WeirSubstituted forO'Gradyat 81'minutes
- 44Brown
- 24Kellett
- 41HinesSubstituted forMcCourtat 61'minutes
- 9Dennis
Substitutes
- 10O'Grady
- 12Anyon
- 15Rowley
- 17Smith
- 19Dodds
- 20Maguire
- 26McCourt
- Referee:
- Robert Madley
- Attendance:
- 6,780
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home48%
- Away52%
- Shots
- Home8
- Away12
- Shots on Target
- Home3
- Away6
- Corners
- Home4
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home10
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Grimsby Town 1, Chesterfield 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Andy Kellett (Chesterfield) right footed shot from the left side of the box misses to the left.
Post update
Harry Cardwell (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Alex Whitmore (Chesterfield).
Post update
Attempt saved. Kristian Dennis (Chesterfield) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Booking
Drew Talbot (Chesterfield) is shown the yellow card.
Booking
Mitch Rose (Grimsby Town) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
Goal!
Goal! Grimsby Town 1, Chesterfield 0. Mitch Rose (Grimsby Town) converts the penalty with a right footed shot to the bottom right corner.
Post update
Penalty conceded by Sid Nelson (Chesterfield) with a hand ball in the penalty area.
Post update
Corner, Grimsby Town. Conceded by Jacob Brown.
Post update
Gary McSheffrey (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Jak McCourt (Chesterfield).
Post update
Foul by Diallang Jaiyesimi (Grimsby Town).
Post update
Bradley Barry (Chesterfield) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Substitution
Substitution, Chesterfield. Chris O'Grady replaces Robbie Weir.
Post update
Foul by Diallang Jaiyesimi (Grimsby Town).
Post update
Bradley Barry (Chesterfield) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Booking
Louis Reed (Chesterfield) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Luke Summerfield (Grimsby Town) wins a free kick on the left wing.