PAUL Sturrock takes his team for the first of two successive away days on Saturday, and this one is the haul up to Grimsby to face the Alan Buckley-led Mariners.

Buckley is in his third spell as manager of the Cleethorpes based side, and he was most recently appointed last November.

The six years between 1988 and 1994 had previously seen his first spell at the helm, and another three seasons began in 1997.

This campaign started with Graham Rodger in charge, but the message is plain. If Grimsby need a manager, they send for Buckley.

Grimsby lay 15th in the table after last weekend's 1-0 away win at Hereford. Paul Bolland hit the 76th minute strike that claimed the points, his fourth goal of the campaign.

Peter Bore has hit the most though, with eight so far, then comes Ciaran Toner with one fewer. Stoke City loan striker Martin Paterson hit six in his spell at Blundell Park and Gary Jones has the same number.

Bristol Rovers' midfielder James Hunt has recently extended his loan spell with the Mariners. He fell out with Rovers' boss Paul Trollope after being left out of the squad, and last season's Pirates skipper is now in his second month in East Lincolnshire.

Michael Reddy, the striker who spent a month on loan at the County Ground from Sunderland while Swindon was being led by Andy King in 2001, looks highly unlikely to feature on Saturday because of a groin problem.

At the beginning of February, the Mariners took the short trip to near neighbours Boston where they scored six without reply. That will have earned some local kudos, but in general, Grimsby's form is not overly impressive. On the wrong end of a 4-0 home hiding by Rochdale on New Year's Day, Hartlepool had already stuck four past them in September.

In October, Swindon beat them 3-0 at the County Ground, the day keeper Peter Brezovan broke his arm and was replaced by Adie Williams. Michael Pook, Lee Peacock and the departed Andy Monkhouse were on target.