Forbes tips Town promotion bid

Town were sent tumbling out of League Two after a final day defeat at Burton Albion condemned the club to non-league football for the first time in their history.

But Forbes reckons Neil Woods' side are capable of returning at the first time of asking, citing the example of former Football League outfit Luton Town as an example to follow.

The Hatters - who suffered relegation last year following a 30-point penalty deduction - made the Blue Square Premier play-offs but were unsuccessful in their attempts to gain promotion.

Confidence

Forbes says his former employers provide a model to follow after a season of stability ensured they will be favourites to mount a challenge next time out.

The 31-year-old said: "There are many clubs that have down and struggled to bounce back up, but Luton, one of my previous clubs, are the perfect example of what to do when you go down.

"They probably didn't agree with the circumstances that led to their relegation, but they have got on with things and managed to seal a play-off place, which could have turned out to be their route back into the Football League on another day.

"Grimsby will have to look at their example and try to follow in their footsteps. Confidence is high that we can make a good fist of it next season, but at the same time no-one believes it will be easy because there are a lot of good sides in the division."