David Artell was delighted for Evan Khouri to net his first professional goal for Grimsby Town in their 2-1 home win over Harrogate Town on Boxing Day.

It was the Mariners' first-ever win over Harrogate, with Khouri and Jason Dadi Svanthorsson’s second-half strikes enough to power their team to a winning response after back-to-back defeats before Christmas.

Stephen Duke-McKenna ensured a nervy finish for the hosts after he scored direct from a free-kick with eight minutes of normal time to play, but Grimsby boss David Artell could praise his new goalscorer for helping his team to a win.

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“That’s [goals] the next stage in his development,” said Artell. “He has got an excellent technique with both feet, so it’s about his mindset and changing that a little bit. He can get opportunities because he has bags of energy.

“He’s fit as a butcher’s dog, so he can get into those positions consistently, so much like we’ve worked with Kieran Green on similar things with his mindset to score and create goals; that’s the next big thing for Ev.

“If he can conquer that side of the game, he will be some player because he has shown that his all-round game can be strong already, and it was excellent here.”

The Mariners have surprised some with their results this season which sees them right in the play-off mix, but the performance was just as important on this occasion.

“We were back to what we have been this season,” explained Artell. “We were combative, energetic and fully deserved the three points. I thought a 2-1 scoreline flattered them [Harrogate], so my one criticism was that it wasn’t a greater margin.

“They scored directly from a free kick and five or ten minutes of pressure, but I thought we were better than them all over the pitch. What we all demand is that the team run around, and we’ve got to show quality as well, which we did enough of to beat Harrogate for the first time.

“We all know that it’s never going to be constantly fluid as the game goes on, but to a man, the starting 11 and those that came on had an understanding of their roles. With the exception of the 82nd minute to the 88th, I thought we were the better team, and that was built on hard work, endeavour and quality.”

It was an important result for Town in a period where the games come thick and fast, with promotion challengers Port Vale the next to come to Blundell Park on Sunday. Momentum is particularly important at this stage as it can be harnessed through multiple matches, with the Mariners hoping that it can sustain their promotion push through the winter.