Bristol Rovers beat Grimsby Town 1-0 at Blundell Park thanks to a super strike from Macauley Southam-Hales.
The Pirates had claimed four points from their last two games in Sky Bet League Two without conceding, drawing with Oldham Athletic before a 1-0 win over Cambridge United and were searching for their first away triumph under Darrell Clarke.
With chances few and far between, Southam-Hales broke the deadlock with a superb volley from the edge of the box, crashing the ball into the bottom corner.
Grimsby, who started the day unbeaten in Sky Bet League Two, had the better chances in the second half, but could not find a way through Luke Southwood, with the goalkeeper saving Charles Vernam’s close-range effort before claiming a dangerous cutback from the winger.
Grimsby beat Premier League outfit Manchester United in the second round of the Carabao Cup at Blundell Park on Wednesday and were encouraged by an electric crowd in the opening exchanges. The hosts won a couple of corners in the first few minutes, but the Gas had the first opportunity to take the lead.
Promise Omochere used his strength to hold off a defender and chest the ball down to Ruel Sotiriou, but his strike from the middle of the box was claimed by Christy Pym, who dove down to his right.
Ten minutes then followed without much action in either box. The Mariners might have had more possession; however, Rovers enjoyed more action in the attacking third but could not find the final pass to unlock Grimsby's defence.
The fixture was hanging in the balance and was waiting for a moment of quality, which Southam-Hales provided. Jack Sparkes' corner from the right was cleared as far as the right-back, who fired a volley from the edge of the box into the corner to give the Gas the lead.
Grimsby looked to end the half strongly after going behind. Reece Staunton's dangerous cross from the left just evaded Tyrell Warren before Vernan curled a free-kick straight at Luke Southwood.
Grimsby made two changes at half-time, adding George McEachran, brother of Rovers' Josh McEachran. The hosts came out of the blocks, but neither Verman nor Evan Khouri could find their way past Southwood at close range.
Vernam, one of the heroes from Grimby's victory over United, then broke down the left side of the box and was in a promising position, but Southwood excellently claimed his cutback. George McEachran then lifted a volley over before Isaac Hutchinson had a half chance just moments coming on, but his attempt deflected wide.
The Mariners continued to push forward, but were left frustrated by Rovers’ disciplined defensive performance, with the Gas holding onto their narrow lead to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to four.
Grimsby Town: Pym, Green, Rodgers, Khouri, Kabia (Gardner 80), Amaluzor (Burns 46), Turi (McEachran 46), Staunton (Rose 80), McJannet, Warren, Vernam (Oduor 90).
Subs not used: Auton, Sweeney.
Goals: Southam-Hales (27)
Booked: Lopata (39), Kilgour (58)
Bristol Rovers: Southwood, Sparkes, Kilgour, Omochere, Sotiriou (Cavegn 51), Thomas (Moore 62), Harrison (Howley 62), McEachran (Hutchinson 73), Conteh, Southam-Hales
Subs not used: Young, Senior, Bilongo
Booked: Amaluzor (25)
