Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst bemoaned his side's inability to break down a resolute Carlisle United.

The Mariners were beaten 2-1 by Paul Simpson's Blues in the rearranged League Two clash at Blundell Park.

Hurst felt Grimsby's performance was good but their work in both boxes was wanting.

"It was a good strike for the first goal [by Owen Moxon], but we’ve got to be stronger," said Hurst.

"Even after that, we were on top of the game realistically, but then we gave away a poor goal for the second one, and it was always going to be an uphill struggle from there.

READ MORE: Big match verdict on Carlisle United's win at Grimsby

“It felt like we were always going to be in the game, which turned out to be the case, but we couldn’t quite force the equaliser. They do get men behind the ball and don’t concede too many, and you could see why.

“However, we’ve got to learn to be clinical, and I don’t want us to turn into a team that is relatively nice on the eye yet lose games of football. The performance, in general, wasn’t that bad at all."

Grimsby are still awaiting their first home win since returning to the EFL after promotion from the National League.

They remain strong on the road but Hurst - whose 12th-placed side were leapfrogged by Carlisle - felt they were short of real chances against Simpson's men.

Michee Efete pulled one back after Moxon and Kristian Dennis had shot United into a two-goal lead.

"We didn’t get enough quality balls into the box, and we didn’t capitalise or create opportunities from the amount of possession we had in the game if we break it down to the basics of football," added Hurst on GrimsbyLive.

"It was a bit quiet and a bit flat up until we gained some momentum in the second half, and that really reminded me of what a place this can be.

"Before that, it was a bit quiet, but we were losing the game, so I understand that. I think the fans saw some decent football, but more importantly, they want to see winning football which is what needs to change.”