Report v Grimsby Town 28/04/01

A second half Marcelo goal secured Blues' place in the end-of-season play-offs on a nervy afternoon at St. Andrew's.

Andrew Johnson tested Danny Coyne in the first minute with a powerful drive that the Grimsby keeper did well to parry away.

The best chance of the first half came at the other end with Kevin Donovan's 15-yard effort that skimmed the bar.

Curtis Woodhouse volleyed over before Blues had two penalty appeals turned down in quick succession.

Paul Raven and Tony Gallimore both appeared to handle the ball inside the box but on both occasions the referee Paul Taylor waved play on to the annoyance of the vociferous Blues crowd.

A good move on 25 minutes saw Martin Grainger's cross-field ball pick out Nicky Eaden whose cross from the right was flicked on by Bryan Hughes but Woodhouse's far post header flew over the bar.

Marcelo sent a half volley wide and Darren Purse's header from a corner also went wide of the mark as Blues continued to dictate the play.

On 40 minutes Andrew Johnson's fierce left-foot shot was tipped around the post by Coyne.

Blues started the second half in the same manner as they finished the first continuing to take the game to their visitors.

Andrew Johnson did well to keep the ball in on the left and his cross was met by Bryan Hughes but the shot was hit straight at Coyne.

Marcelo tried to flick the ball past Coyne soon after but again the Grimsby keeper was up to the task.

Darren Purse had a great chance after latching on to Grainger's header but the centre-back fired into the side netting.

Blues' pressure finally told on 65 minutes when Grainger's quick throw-in found Andrew Johnson free on the left and his cross set-up Marcelo whose carefully placed shot found the corner of the net.

The lead should have been doubled soon after when substitute Dele Adebola some how managed to shoot wide from just two yards out.

Blues nearly paid a heavy price for that miss on 75 minutes when the ball fell at Stuart Campbell's feet in acres of space inside the box but the former Blues' loanee delayed his shot and Bennett was able to smother his eventual effort.

Alan Pouton saw a 20-yard effort whistle wide for the visitors before Hughes and Grainger both sent shots high over the Grimsby bar.

Late on Blues had another penalty appeal turned down when Andrew Johnson was felled inside the box by Coyne.

But eventually the one goal was enough, and news that Wimbedon had only drawn at Fulham sparked joyful scenes amongst the St. Andrew's faithful.

Trevor Francis must now prepare his side for next Sunday's visit to Huddersfield when he will be hoping that fourth place, and with it home advantage in the second leg of the play-offs, is still in his side's grasp.