On nine minutes Rushden winger Tyrone Berry made a forceful run down the right to create an opening but his shot was weak and comfortably saved by Steve Mildenhall.
In the early stages Grimsby's offside tactics were effective with the Rushden forwards being caught offside on many occasions.
Grimsby's Gary Jones was lucky to receive only a booking after throwing the ball at the referee. The first half action was minimal and both goalkeepers were rarely tested although in the 41st minute Rushden should have gone ahead when Stokes headed over when unmarked following a free kick by Darren Caskey.
Grimsby went extremely close in the 50th minute when Tom Newey saw his free kick go inches wide.
On 54 minutes Drewe Broughton was put through by Stokes but he saw his shot blocked by Mildenhall.
Grimsby took the lead on 59 minutes when Futcher headed home powerfully from an excellent free kick by Curtis Woodhouse.
Rushden pressed hard for an equaliser and they got their reward in the 72nd minute when Wayne Hatswell's free kick was picked up by substitute Simeon Jackson who shot home with the Grimsby players appealing for offside.
Teenager Jackson almost put Rushden ahead in the 75th minute when Mildenhall made a brilliant save to deny him. And a minute later Broughton was extremely close with a header.
Rushden had the better of the closing stages but were unable to grab a winner and a draw was probably a fair result.