Cambridge City 1, Grays Athletic 1

GRAYS picked up a Bet Victor Isthmian North point after fighting a late rearguard action at the Glass World Stadium.

After a slow start the match began to pick up pace and it was Grays who broke the deadlock after 19 minutes when a ball forward found Joao Carlos who got the better of youngster Taylor Horne. Once in on goal, Carlos made no mistake and slotted the ball past Dan George to give the visitors the lead.

Grays twice went close before the break to extend their lead. First, Carlos nearly got a second but couldn't convert when well placed, and then Mitchel Hann saw his effort from a free kick go just over the bar.

City boss Robbie Nightingale rang the changes at half time with Nicki Dembele and Nathan Olukanmi replacing Jarid Robson and Mikey Davis, and it was the two substitutes who linked up well that resulted in Oluknami seeing his effort blocked.

That opening seemed to galvanise City and they looked more like the team to score as they were making a few promising openings but frustratingly not converting their possession into goals.

Nightingale introduced Ebby Nelson-Addy for Kaidyn Michael, and his composure in midfield allowed City to play with more freedom, and it was shortly after his introduction to the game that City equalised.

Nathan Olukanmi broke through and the ball found its way into the path of Arel Amu who provided a fine finish past Sambridge to pull City level.

As the match entered the final stages, it was all City and they had two chances, the best perhaps falling to Nelson-Addy who had a shot that stung the palms of Danny Sambridge in the final stages. But despite knocking on the door for the winner, they couldn't force it open and Grays held on for a point.

Grays will be back in action on Tuesday with a BBC Essex Senior Cup Quarter Final at Billericay Town.