David Artell praised Grimsby Town’s defensive application to see out Bromley’s physical threats and complete a league double over the EFL newcomers on Saturday.

The Mariners were 2-0 victors at the weekend, their first win of 2025, with their two starting strikers Danny Rose and Justin Obikwu getting the goals.

Both strikers scoring in a clean-sheet victory made for a near-perfect afternoon for Artell, who was looking to rediscover the winning formula, having seen his side take two points from a possible 15 in the first five matches of the new year.

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They knew what Bromley were about and what they would throw at them on Saturday, and they set up to prepare for that aerial onslaught with three centre-backs on the field and a strong physical presence in midfield.

After a tough first half of defending, Town got the ball down more and played to create their own chances and come away with a much-needed victory.

Artell said: “I thought after 15 minutes of the first half we were the better team, but Bromley had the last 20 of the half mainly through corners and long throws. But in the second half, we definitely deserved the win through our play.

“Bromley aren’t ashamed of being that kind of team, so we knew what was coming, and I thought we were magnificent at stopping crosses and just generally with heading balls out of our box.

“We should have won by more than two, but I have to say the lads at the back were brilliant at first and second contact, stopping crosses and touches in our box. Jason Dadi Svanthorsson was really good defensively and brilliant going forward - it was probably his best performance in my opinion.

“Danny Imray is probably Bromley’s most effective player, but I thought Denver Hume played him very well. All in all, a very pleasing afternoon, a deserved three points, a clean sheet and the double over a good side.”

Rose’s goal goes in a unique category of improvisation that the Mariners forward has come to be known for in his time at the club.

Falling over and flicking the ball over his head just a few yards out from goal does not make for the sexiest-looking finish, but his head coach had to praise the quick thinking of his captain in that situation.

The Town boss added: “[Danny] Rose is a goal-scorer; that’s what he does. He scored one earlier in the season against MK Dons with a tackle, and the improvisation he showed here to flick the ball up and score when he is laid on his back is brilliant.

“When you are a natural goalscorer as he is, these are the types of things he is capable of doing, and he deserves credit for having the presence of mind to try them. It was a terrific move to get to that point, Jason winning the ball, playing a one-two with Justin and then playing Green in done the line after a terrific third-man run.

“It’s not gone in on the first attempt, but Rosey had the presence of mind to put it in. The build-up to the goal was something we’d worked on, so it was really pleasing to see it come to fruition.”

Much like the Rose goal, Town have not often done things the easy way, but they are getting enough positive results to stay in the mix at the right end of the table, and that is where they have improved the most in Artell’s tenure.