Grimsby head coach David Artell described his side’s 3-0 win at Salford as a “professional performance”.
Harry Clifton put the Mariners in front after 39 minutes before Toby Mullarkey and Danny Rose sealed the points with second-half strikes.
It was Grimsby’s first away win since April.
Artell said: “We controlled it from start to finish, scored three really good goals, kept a clean sheet. It was a professional performance and it probably flattered them more than us.
“We’ve got to make sure this isn’t a flash in the pan. It’s a nice feeling but let’s not carried away.
“We were making good decisions, playing on the front foot, playing football in the right areas. It was unpredictable football for the opposition.”
Grimsby go into their home game against Walsall on New Year’s Day in 19th but Artell is hoping to climb the table come May.
He added: “We’ve got to go up the table. That’s the end result of numerous decisions we have to take.
“We’ve got to make sure our game model and style of play brings out the best in the players. It’s got to be their style of play so they can produce more performances like tonight.
“We’ve got to make sure we continually improve and we will get better. If they want to improve, then we’ll get better.”
Salford are winless in their last nine league games.
Head coach Neil Wood lost his job after the 5-1 Boxing Day defeat against Tranmere.
Interim head coach Simon Wiles said: “We got a few half chances but unfortunately it hasn’t happened and we’ve ended with a defeat.
“There are moments we can take out of it but there are things we need to address.
“We’re going through a tough time at the moment but there will be a moment that falls to us. That will come.”
Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Ryan Giggs are some of the names in the frame to take over from Wood but for now Wiles is the one seeking to motivate the group and is set to take charge against Accrington.
Wiles added: “The owners will be speaking to managers, I’m fully aware of that, but I’m ignoring all that. All my focus and concentration is on is that group of players.
“I’ve been at the club a long time, I’ve got a really good understanding of what the club is about.
“I’ve got to continue to motivate these players and get them in a position where they believe in themselves.
“I just need to keep doing what I’m doing so we can get these players into a position to get the result we’re screaming out for.”
Red Bulls win New York derby as Seattle knock out Los Angeles FC
Goals from Felipe Carballo and Dante Vanzeir settled the New York derby as New York Red Bulls defeated New York City 2-0 at the Citi Field to enter the Eastern Conference final of the MLS Cup.
Uruguayan Carballo blasted an effort into the top corner in the 16th minute to give the visitors the breakthrough in the 16th minute before Vanzeir drilled an Emil Forsberg corner in off the post nine minutes later.
City probed for a way back into the game as they enjoyed about 70% of possession and attempted 25 shots. But failing to produce a goal despite an xG of 2.8, the 2021 champions crashed out.
Meanwhile, it was a clinical and well-organised display from the Red Bulls, who generated an xG of 0.88 with nine shots and were happy to sit back and protect their two-goal advantage for the majority of the game.
"It's a big win today, but in the end, it’s the next step. We have to continue this hard work and next week take the next step,” said Red Bulls boss Sandro Schwarz after the game.
Michel delighted with Girona's return to form after injury boosts
Michel puts Girona's rediscovered form down to the energy of the returning players from injury after they thrashed Espanyol in LaLiga on Saturday.
Girona had endured a shaky start to the season but moved up to fifth in the standings on 21 points after a superb home victory featuring a Bojan Miovski brace and goals by Bryan Gil and Ladislav Krejci.
Michel's side have now won their last three LaLiga matches, going on their best such run since between April and May 2024, the last time they recorded three victories on the bounce.
"Today's victory, which is our third [in a row], it's due to the fact we got people back, because we've rested, because we've had a very good week of training and because that energy today was noticeable," Michel told a press conference.
"The only thing I hope is that we continue to recover people, that we continue to have the necessary minutes for everyone and that, as we have very tough games coming up every three days, we need everyone to be at 100%; we'll see if we can achieve this without any problems."
Yaser Asprilla and Krejci, back from injury, combined for the fourth goal, but it was the pairing of Miovski and Gil who made the night with lethal attacks for the second and third goals.
"I am very happy for Miovski, he is a player who gives everything in training," Michel added. "I was worried because he wasn't scoring goals.
"He always tries to do his best for the team, he needs time. I am happy for him.
"Bryan is a very important player for everyone, his best version is yet to come. Right now, the process with him is what we all expect."
Last season's surprise package Girona face Austrian side Sturm Graz in the Champions League on Wednesday and the manager hopes they can repeat Saturday's performance in the European game.
"This is the Girona I want, 100%. We started the game very well, that's the reality," Michel added.
"The first half hour was spectacular, with and without the ball... We had a presence up front. The first half hour is what we want to do this season."
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