TWO lapses in concentration almost cost Grimsby Town dear at Kettering – but the Mariners deserved to have the points wrapped up long before the Poppies' late show.

Town were cruising after Liam Hearn's double and should have put the game to bed.

But nerves set in when David Bridges was allowed to nod home a corner two minutes into added time.

And a minute later, former Town trialist Kiernan Hughes-Mason was allowed a free header at Ellis Deeney's curling free-kick – which James McKeown did well to parry on the goal-line before Nathan Koo-Booth somehow scooped the rebound over the bar from barely a yard out as a number of players collapsed into the goal.

Only the Poppies defender will know how he missed, but then again only Anthony Elding will know how he didn't connect with Michael Coulson's cross with the goal at his mercy to make it 3-0 against his former club earlier on.

That escape meant Town claimed their first victory on the road since the 1-0 win at Forest Green in September.

But two minutes of drama at the death shouldn't overshadow the fact that the Mariners were cruising for the majority of the match and were worthy of the 2-1 win – the fourth consecutive time they have beaten Kettering by that score.

However, the expected thrashing against a depleted and cash-strapped Poppies outfit didn't materialise.

Financial problems led to five players leaving the club on loan last week – and a transfer embargo prevented boss Mark Stimson bringing in four replacements.

Players couldn't afford to travel to training, there was talk of a youth team being fielded, and bookies slashed their odds as a Town victory became one of the most popular bets in the country.

A cup tie atmosphere of sorts was generated – the hosts had nothing to lose.

But this was far from men versus boys – in fact, the average age of both starting-XIs was about 23.

Kettering could only field three substitutes, but the team never stopped working and provided a challenge just as tough as many the Mariners will face on the road this season.

Town, whose team included three 18-year-olds, handed debuts to both of their new loan signings – Bury winger Luke McCarthy and Luton defender Will Antwi.

Former Kettering man Serge Makofo was ruled out with an ankle injury he is believed to have picked up celebrating his goal against Port Vale, and defender Shaun Pearson was dropped to the bench.

Before the embargo was in place, Stimson was still able to bring in former Aston Villa trainee Ellis Deeney and winger Josh Dawkin on loan from Norwich City – and both started as the hosts made seven changes.

Antwi made a good tackle on Bridges on seven minutes when he had the hosts' first sniff at goal.

But after Coulson arrowed a shot just above the top-corner, Town got the early breakthrough they'd been hoping for, on 13 minutes.

Hearn read a lofted ball forward and, despite full-back Jamie Navarro having a head start, muscled past the defender before slotting past goalkeeper Aldi Haxia's near post.

Frequent stoppages made for a scrappy match after the lively opening, but Hughes-Mason almost lifted the roof off Nene Park with a fierce volley that flew just over on 31 minutes, before Coulson's free-kick curled just wide of the post after finding its way through a sea of bodies in the six-yard box.

Kettering struck the woodwork four minutes into the second half when Deeney's cross-cum-shot looped over McKeown and bounced off the bar.

Hearn should have done better than hitting the side-netting after Manny Panther sent him through on 56 minutes, and Coulson also had a good chance saved by the scrambling Haxia.

You sensed the next goal would be crucial – and it was a moment of quality from Hearn that doubled Town's lead on 63 minutes.

Coulson, now on the right flank, whipped in a cross that struck a body and wasn't cleared, and the former Alfreton man unleashed a lovely right-footed shot on the turn, across goal and in off the far post – his tenth league goal of the season.

The home crowd fell silent and their players appeared to tire.

Town should have now put the game to bed – but they didn't, and almost paid the price.

Coulson, who was giving 32-year-old Poppies skipper Sol Davis – another ex-Town trialist – a torrid time, whipped in a superb low cross on 65 minutes that was begging to be stuck away.

The delivery was struck at pace, and you have to take into account the relatively poor playing surface, but Elding air-kicked from close-range in front of an open net.

A minute later, the striker tried to avenge his miss but Haxia was equal to his shot.

Coulson then saw a shot deflected for a corner before Disley fired over from 20 yards.

Town were cruising home, but out of nowhere the Poppies had a lifeline when Bridges was allowed a free header after two of the four allotted minutes for added time.

The goal lifted the home fans – none of whom appeared to have left early to their credit – and their team almost snatched a draw at the death through Koo-Booth.

It was a tense finish – almost a disaster – as Town stumbled over the line for their first win in five league games.

But despite the late show, the Mariners did bag all three points and are now six league and cup games without defeat – a run they will hope to extend when Stockport visit Blundell Park tomorrow night.