Grimsby piled misery on rock-bottom Rochdale with a 1-0 victory at Blundell Park which left them five points from safety in League Two.

George Lloyd settled the contest with a well-taken winner 22 minutes from time.

Dale had ended a nine-match winless run last time out but a fourth defeat in six games leaves them with an uphill task to avoid relegation to the National League.

Chances were few and far between during the opening exchanges as Rochdale took first aim through captain Ethan Ebanks-Landell who nodded over.

Michee Efete dragged wide at the other end with 25 minutes on the clock but it was the strugglers who were on top at that particular stage.

Grimsby defender Luke Waterfall cleared off the line from Devante Rodney after he rounded the goalkeeper while Lloyd was on hand to intervene similarly when Jimmy Keohane rose highest from a corner.

Rochdale had appeals for a penalty turned down shortly after the restart as Rodney then forced Max Crocombe into a low save.

Grimsby survived that spell and conjured up a winner when Harry Clifton picked out Lloyd with a long pass and the on-loan Cheltenham striker made no mistake with his calm touch and finish.