Goalless draw for Carlisle and Grimsby

League Two strugglers Carlisle and Grimsby fought out a 0-0 draw at Brunton Park.

The Mariners, without a win since September, had their chances but the nearest they came to settling the issue was a free-kick from Ethan Robson which hit the crossbar.

Hallam Hope struck the woodwork for the home side who at least extended new head coach Chris Beech’s unbeaten run to four league and cup games.

Grimsby made a lively start as Harry Davis’ header was ruled offside then, from Robson’s cross from the left, James Hanson headed off the base of a post.

It took Carlisle a while to settle, but Hope went close midway through the first half when he crashed a shot off the underside of the bar.

Grimsby came close in the 28th minute as Robson’s free-kick took a deflection to leave Adam Collin wrong-footed, but the frame of the goal came to the goalkeeper’s rescue.

Substitute Charles Vernam wasted a great chance for the visitors on the stroke of half-time. Canice Carroll left his back pass woefully short of Collin, but Vernam tried to take the ball around the goalkeeper and only succeeded in running it out of play.

Grimsby had the edge in chances after the break but Jake Hessenthaler and Matt Green had efforts saved by Collin.