Grimsby held on for a goalless draw with Rotherham despite having George Santos and Paul Raven sent off.

The Millers had gone four games without a win after an impressive start to the season and looked out of sorts as Grimsby had the better of the early exchanges.

Santos, who is out of contract next week, had the first shot of the game in the seventh minute but his effort blazed over the crossbar.

But his determination to impress completely changed the game and put Grimsby on the back foot midway through the half.

In the 23rd minute the former Sheffield United man was booked for a foul on Alan Lee, and two minutes later he was dismissed after reacting to a bad challenge from Darren Garner.

Santos' rashness meant Steve Livingstone's return to action lasted only 28 minutes before player-manager Paul Groves had to haul him off and bring on Stacy Coldicott.

Raven quickly became the next man to be shown a yellow card after a rash challenge on Lee as the game threatened to boil over.

Down to 10 men, Grimsby were forced to play on the break - but they still managed to busy visiting goalkeeper Mike Pollitt a couple of times as half-time approached.

First Simon Ford got on the end of Alan Pouton's cross to force Pollitt into action and then Steve Kabba tested the goalkeeper from 25 yards.

Seven minutes into the second half Grimsby were down to nine men when Raven was shown his second yellow of the afternoon - again for a foul on Lee.

Paul Warne became the fourth visiting player into the book in the 62nd minute for a foul on Stuart Campbell.

But with a two-man advantage the visitors began to take control, Darren Byfield and Nick Daws both going close with headers.

Moore threw on all three substitutes in an attempt to take the points, and former Manchester United striker Mark Robins tested Danny Coyne from the edge of the area with a low drive.

It was one-way traffic, and Coyne had to be at his best to tip Daws' 25-yarder round the post.

But as much as Rotherham tried, resilient Grimsby held on for a hard-fought point.

Grimsby: Coyne, Ward, Raven, Ford, Gallimore, Campbell, Pouton, Santos, Barnard, Livingstone, Kabba. Subs: Coldicott, Allaway, Mansaram, Cooke, Robinson.

Rotherham: Pollitt, Bryan, McIntosh, Branston, Hurst, Sedgwick, Garner, Daws, Warne, Byfield, Lee. Subs: Gray, Robins, Richard Barker, Mullin, Monkhouse.

Referee: R Beeby (Northamptonshire)