FOREST GREEN and Grimsby Town served up a six-goal live television blockbuster at the New Lawn on Thursday night.

Dave Hockaday’s side is making a habit of performing admirably against the Blue Square Premier big guns. Rovers raced into what should have been an unassailable 2-0 and then a 3-1 lead but wretched defending allowed the Mariners to salvage a point.

Earlier, Rovers started with gusto. Curtis McDonald’s raking long ball saw the jet-healed Reece Styche lob onrushing Grimsby keeper Richard O’Donnell from the edge of the box inside 12 minutes.

Sublime footwork saw Mike Fowler arrow over a pass from his own half to pick out James Norwood who took the ball in his stride to fizz past O’Donnell from 25 yards to put the hosts 2-0 up eight minutes later.

Rovers’ joy was short-lived as Grimsby pulled a goal back two minutes later when the impressive Rob Eagle headed home a Michael Cummins cross from 12 yards out.

Another raking Mike Fowler pass saw Styche close to an injury time second but this time O’Donnell chucked up a glove to spectacularly tip over his 25 yard chip.

The Mariners came out for the second half with renewed hope. However, Rovers made it 3-1 on 53 minutes with the move of the match. Substitute Yan Klukowski, on for the sick Chris Flood, latched onto a Styche ball and traded passes with Ben Watson to rifle home inside the box.

Rovers needed to shut up shop but the floodgates started to open. Gavin Caines was then on hand to deny a quick-fire Grimsby comeback as he cleared off the line from Alan Connell.

But the Mariners were not to be denied with 25 minutes of the match remaining as Andy Wright’s shot found its way to the back of the net through a packed box and via a deflection following Steven Watt’s half-cleared free kick.

And three minutes later they were level. Eagle finished superbly from a Peter Bore cross after an out of sorts McDonald allowed him the time and space to deliver.

Grimsby then should have had a spot-kick when McDonald appeared to crash into Alan Connell in the penalty area.

Both sides had chances to win it late on with Luke Jones’ shot being blocked before Watt’s effort flew narrowly wide of the post.

Forest Green: Bittner, Hodgkiss (Herring 67), Luke Jones, Caines, McDonald, Norwood, Mike Fowler, Lee Fowler, Flood (Klukowski 46), Styche, Watson (Else 83). Subs Not Used: Zak Jones, Grimes.

Booked: Styche.

Goals: Styche 12, Norwood 18, Klukowski 52.

Grimsby: O'Donnell, Wood, Watt, Kempson, Ridley (Samuels 56), Bore, Cummins, Wright, Eagle, Connell, Carlton (Peacock 56). Subs Not Used: Croudson, Hudson, Garner.

Goals: Eagle 20, Wright 65, Eagle 68.

Att: 1,007 Ref: Andy Hendley (West Midlands).

Star Player: Reece Styche.