Trouble connecting to mysql database

Hello all,

Im trying to setup PunBB and im hitting a brick wall.

Here's my setup/problem.

I have one server running CentOS 7 and Mysql, Everything is working, i can connect to the database with shell access or from my workstation with Mysql Workbench no problem.

I have another server running CentOS 7 and Nginx to serve the forum. I can access the install.php no problem, but when i try to connect to the database server i keep getting an "Cannot connect to mysql database" or "Unable to connect to MySQL server. MySQL reported: Permission denied"

I have tried all kinds of different configs and i cannot get it to work.

Please and thanks for any help!

Alex