The Diamonds interest in the Errea Southwest Challenge Cup ended at the semi-final stage as they went out to Grimsby in Appledore.

Although the scoreline perhaps flattered the Mariners, their better finishing was the difference between the two teams, but the Diamonds will be happy with the overall performances in the Tournament, and the benefits to their pre-season preparations.

The game at Appledore was less than 24 hours from when the Diamonds had qualified for this stage by beating Barnstaple, and although the starting 11 was rotated, nine of those that started had played some part 24 hours earlier. Justin Edinburgh chose a similar starting XI to that which had faced Blackpool, with Craig Farrell partnering Aaron O'Connor up front, allowing Lee Tomlin to take up the wide-left role in place of James Reid.

With all of the bad weather in Devon during the week the Marshford pitch had passed an earlier inspection, with the overall surface looking impressively prepared, although the pitch was rather undulating.

The Mariners fielded a strong line up, with a face familiar to Diamonds fans up front in Barry Conlon, who partnered the French striker Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro up front. Ex-Luton favourite Adrian Forbes was wide on the right, and ex-Premiership player Robbie Stockdale was also in their side.

The game started very quietly, with the only action in the first 10 minutes being a chance for the Diamonds when a Lee Tomlin corner was headed on by Jamie Stuart to Aaron O'Connor who had his back to goal, and pivoted quickly but hit his shot wide.

Just as the game looked like being tight and uneventful the Mariners took the lead, as Akpa Akpro and Widdowson linked up, and saw Dale Roberts only parry the resultant shot, with Adrian Forbes easily able to nod home for the opening goal.

Dale Roberts was much the busier keeper, and he produced fine saves from Conlon and Stockdale.

The Diamonds hit back after 21 minutes. Lee Tomlin produced a powerful run down the right and was fouled just outside the area. The kick was slightly more central than the kick Craig Farrell had scored from the night before, but once again he hit a powerful shot past the wall which was spilled by keeper Colgan, and the alert Neil Cousins was on hand to sweep home the equaliser.

Nick McNamara once again showed his willingness to strike on goal, with both he and Max Porter looking like they might emulate Rob Wolleaston in their goalscoring exploits from midfield in the forthcoming season.

Roberts saved the Diamonds again when he tipped over an Akpa Akpro header, but could do nothing when the resultant corner was headed back to the French striker, who this time netted easily. Roberts then tipped over a Boshell shot, and Colgan did the same tipping a Max Porter shot wide shortly before half-time. Colgan also did well to block an O'Connor shot after he and Tomlin had linked up well.

The half ended with the Mariners ahead, virtue of their better finishing.

Half-Time: Grimsby Town 2 Rushden & Diamonds 1

Although Grimsby had the better of the first half, it was the Diamonds that had more of the play for much of the second. The Mariners made several substitutions at the break, whereas the Diamonds made their changes gradually as the half-wore on following a single switch at the break which saw James Raid replace Craig Farrell.

Reid and Tomlin immediately started to cause their opponents defence some problems, with Tomlin playing "in the hole" behind Aaron O'Connor. After Reid was fouled Lee Tomlin hit a powerful free kick which rattled back off the post with Colgan stationary on this line. The Diamonds switched to 4-3-3 with the arrival of Sam Smith

Just as it looked like the Diamonds might battle to gain an equaliser the Mariners effectively clinched the game as a long ball down their left channel by Akpa Akpro saw Nathan Arnold beat the onrushing Roberts to the ball and coolly stroke the ball home.

The Diamonds continued to create half-chances, but each one was hit with some venom at a defender, rather than any attempt to finesse the ball into the net. Grimsby were still dangerous on the break, and it took another excellent Roberts save to deny Danny North as he broke clear.

At the other end half-chances fell to O'Connor, Tomlin (3) and Wolleaston, but the Diamonds couldn't get the goal that would have added interest to the last stages of the game.

Unfortunately the last two minutes of the game were ones the Diamonds want to forget. Lee Tomlin was continuing to have a good game other than in shooting positions, and he "nutmegged" Danny North and swept the ball to Sam Smith before North made an awful late challenge that brought a deserved yellow card for a challenge that in a normal game would have merited a certain red card. As Tomlin limped around prior to being replaced by Jamie McGuinness, Danny North ran onto a long ball forward and calmly chipped over Roberts for a rather undeserved fourth goal.

Full-Time: Grimsby Town 4 Rushden & Diamonds 1

Diamonds Line-up : GK Dale Roberts, RB Curtis Osano, LB Kurt Robinson, CB Jamie Stuart, CB Simon Downer, RM Neil Cousins, CM Max Porter, CM Nick McNamara, LM Lee Tomlin, S Aaron O'Connor, S Craig Farrell.

Subs : James Reid for Farrell (HT), Sam Smith for Cousins (52), Rob Wolleaston for McNamara (52), Jake Beecroft for Porter (63), Michael Corcoran for Downer (66), Jamie McGuinness for Lee Tomlin (89)

Diamonds Man of the Match : Dale Roberts