Trialists Andy Mumford and Clint Marcelle started from the bench whilst Matlock Town striker Danny Holland got a start up front alongside Ashley Sestanovich and David Soames.
John McDermott and Greg Young played on the wings. With only Ronnie Bull a recognised left sided wingback, Russell Slade is no doubt keen to explore his options should Bull get injured/suspended, hence the trying of Young.
New boy Rob Jones got his first proper start for Town alongside Simon Ramsden and Kirk Wheeler.
The mix of trialists, youth and experience saw Town come away with the victory, a first half strike from John McDermott after neat build up play from Soames and Sestanovich.
Several chances were wasted though with Soames missing an open goal from six yards.
Holland showed plenty of promise and an eagerness to shoot but failed to score, he may well be worth another look though.
Mumford didn't get much of a chance to impress but it goes without saying that Slade will have kept a close eye on him in training.
GAINSBOROUGH: Holmshaw, Black, Davey (sub Wood 63 mins), Carrington (sub Thornley 70 mins), Caudwell, Allison (sub Dickman 78 mins), G Smith, Sherlock, (sub Staton 70 mins), Bird (sub Ellington 63 mins), O’Brien (sub Ford 70 mins), Hurst , Grant. Town 1 Gainsborough 0
GRIMSBY: Fraser, McDermott, Young (sub Mumford 45 mins), Ramsden (sub Parker 66 mins), Wheeler, Jones (sub Chamberlain 53 mins), Sestanovich (sub Marcelle 45 mins), Coldicott, Holland, Hildred, Soames (sub Hegarty 80 mins). Sub not used: Croudson