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When a much-changed team took a 51st minute lead through Zema AbbeyÂ’s clinical finish following keeper Robert GreenÂ’s long clearance, Norwich's travelling fans were clearly dreaming of victory.
But Grimsby boss Paul Groves has an entertaining and resilient side who fought back well for a well deserved point when John Oster scored with a brilliant shot beyond Green into the top corner of the net - his fifth goal of a brilliant loan spell.
The Mariners, backed by their biggest crowd of the season, would not have been flattered by victory but their seventh point from the last three games was a more than pleasing return for Groves.
Next up for Town in the latest in a mini series of games against the struggling clubs at the bottom of the table is Bradford City who are the first visitors of 2003 on New YearÂ’s Day as GrimsbyÂ’s improvement is put to a further test.
The attendance of 8,306 topped the previous best against Sheffield Wednesday last week and there could be a new high as Bradford roll down the M62 backed by an expected big following for the crunch clash.
Norwich’s sights are set to the other end of the table and their first game of the new year sees them play Gillingham who's home game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.