Colchester went close in the 13th minute when Samson Tovide hit the woodwork at the near post after Will Goodwin had escaped down the right and picked him out.

But Rodgers went close after Colchester goalkeeper Matt Macey had failed to hold Charles Vernam’s cross while soon after, Mariners captain Kieran Green’s superb powerful long-range strike clattered a post.

But Grimsby went ahead when Vernam broke down the left and picked out Rodgers, who clinically slotted home from the edge of the area.

Macey saved Rodgers’ first-time shot before half-time and Vernam fired a good chance wide for the visitors before Grimsby were reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute when Green was shown a second yellow card in the space of five minutes and dismissed.

Jack Payne’s rasping 25-yard shot for Colchester struck the inside of a post late on but the hosts could not salvage a draw.