Cheltenham Town moved to the top of the National League as a second-half strike from Aaron Downes handed them a 1-0 victory over Grimsby Town this evening.
The home side should have taken the lead in the 10th minute when Padraig Amond latched on to a deflected cross at the back post, but he could not hit the target from close range.
Grimsby threatened again when Danny East collected the ball in the box and beat two defenders to rifle a strike at goal, but Dillon Phillips made the save.
Paul Hurst's men should have taken the lead as Omar Bogle slipped a through-ball into the path of Amond, who only had Phillips to beat, but the keeper made a fine stop with his body.
Cheltenham tested McKeown just before the break when they won a free kick on the edge of the box, but the keeper made a good stop to claim Kyle Storer's curling effort.
The visitors threatened in the early stages of the second half as Jack Munns cut the ball back to Jack Barthram who fired at goal, but McKeown made a solid save.
Cheltenham took the lead in the 68th minute when Munns lifted a corner in from the right and the hosts failed to clear the danger, allowing Downes to turn and drill an effort into the top corner.
The Mariners pushed to get back in the game in the dying minutes and came close through a header from Craig Disley, but Gary Johnson's men held out to secure the three points at Blundell Park.
Simon Sinclair
