IAN BOGIE paid tribute to his Gateshead players after their 1-0 win over Grimsby Town by admitting: "I could not ask for any more."

The Heed boss sees his side check out of August as joint leaders of the Blue Square Bet Premier division with 16 points picked up from the opening six matches in a superb start to the campaign for the Tynesiders.

A decade ago, Grimsby were enjoying life in the old First Division, rubbing shoulders with moneybags Manchester City and knocking holders Liverpool out of the League Cup at Anfield – while Gateshead were plying their trade in the Unibond League.

However, the Bogie men have started the season looking down on the Mariners from a high height, with the Cleethorpes outfit struggling near the foot of the table.

Gateshead won the game after Jon Shaw netted his seventh goal in six matches just before the hour before dogged defending helped the home side to another great win.

Only Wrexham are ahead of Gateshead on goal difference and a delighted Bogie told the Journal: “I could not ask for any more from the lads.

“At times we were sloppy in possession and in our final pass but I cannot complain.

“I thought Grimsby shaded the first half, but in the second we came out and looked brighter.

“It was a great goal to win the game. The last few minutes were heart stopping because they put the big lads on and made it very difficult for us.

“They were pumping balls into the box and we had to make sure we were defending right and putting bodies on the line.

“Defensively we were sound and we will take a 1-0 victory.”