Mariners misery for Turner & co.

This report from the official site:

Wednesday were consigned to a miserable festive period after being struck by a Mariners post-half time blitz that ensured the Owls would prop up the First Division table over Christmas. To rub salt into the wounds it was former Sheffield United midfielder Georges Santos who was the hosts' Santa, turning in a faultless performance to condemn Wednesday to defeat.

Playing as an emergency centre-back, it was the Frenchman who put the hosts ahead with his first goal for the club just after the break, after almost single-handedly keeping the Wednesday strike-force at bay in the first half.

Eighteen-year-old Darren Mansaram added the second on 52 minutes to ease their own relegation worries and take them six points clear of the Owls at the bottom of the table. It was a far cry from a first half that had been dominated by the Owls, with Shefki Kuqi a marauding presence.

It was the Finn who had the best chances to put Wednesday ahead in a powerful opening by the Owls. Seven minutes before the break he was given a clear sight of Danny Coyne's goal by Gerald Sibon's knock-down, but fired his 20-yard shot over the bar. Moments earlier Kuqi had gone around the Republic of Ireland international goalkeeper, only to see his sqaure ball towards the waiting Sibon cut out by Iain Ward.

Wednesday were also prevented from taking a 27th minute lead when Allan Johnston's low drive from the edge of the box appeared to be kept out by Matthew Hamshaw as he tried to apply the finishing touch.

With Santos doing overtime to nullify Kuqi's aerial threat - notably when glancing Crane's dangerous cross out of harm's way - the Mariners created their first spell of sustained pressure in first-half injury-time, when they twice gave the Owls defence a warning of what was to come. First Livingstone cut across the face of goal a low ball that only just eluded Mansaram. Then, right on the whistle, the influential Alan Pouton received a corner in space on the edge of the penalty box and unleashed a screamer that was only inches wide.

Half-time: Grimsby 0-0 Owls

Santos finally took leave of his sterling defensive duties to devastating effect, four minutes into the second half, when he rose highest to nod Pouton's left-wing corner into the net. Kuqi missed a glorious chance of an immediate equaliser when he cut in from the left but sidefooted wide of the far post from close range but, within a minute, the task had doubled for Turner's men.

Welsh international winger John Oster tricked his way down the left wing and cut a ball back from the byline for Mansaram to scramble the second in at the near post. Again, Wednesday came close to an instant response, when Sibon's header was cleared off the line, but Santos could have had his second and the Mariners' third on the hour, heading Oster's cross onto the crossbar.

By this time, Proudlock had emerged to replace Kuqi - who went straight down the tunnel to get changed. The Wolves man nearly reduced the arrears, 20 minutes from time, when Sibon charged down Coyne's attempted clearance, but home right-back Simon Ford moved in to snuff out the danger, and the Owls' bad luck in front of goal continued as Sibon threatened on several occasions, notably when glancing Geary's cross inches past the far post. But the Mariners held on to clinch a win that could prove to be vital for both sides when the season ends in May.