Grays Athletic 1, Brightlingsea Regent 2

MATCH reports for Grays Athletic are starting to become rather monotonous - good performances against strong opposition undone by mistakes at the back and a lack of decisive cutting edge up front.

And it was the same on Tuesday (18 February) against high-flying Brightlingsea Regent.

On paper, another defeat, but one where for periods the performance was commendable.

The game started with the visitors very much on the front foot, playing controlled measured football and it was no surprise when they took an early lead. A cross from the left found Harry McDonald free in the penalty area and his slow, looping header evaded keeper Danny Sambridge, nesting into the back of the net.

Grays slowly dragged themselves into the game and created a number of chances, with Harry Hope at the centre of most of what was good for Blues.

But there was little that gave visiting keeper, Charlie Turner, much to concern him.

The building works in the field behind the goal were in greater danger. Hope hit a shot just wide of the post and from one of a series of corners from him was met by Kye Jude but came back off the crossbar

And Blues were made to pay for their profligacy, when just after the half hour, a long clearance out of defence by Brightlingsea caused confusion in the home back line. Sambridge dithered and Kenzo Shabazz-Edwards took advantage, putting the ball into the unguarded net, to double the lead.

Brightlingsea came out for the second half looking to manage the game and there was a sense in the crowd that they always had another gear if needed.

That said, Blues looked sharper after the break and twice in two minutes Luke Hirst brought superb saves out of Turner.

Firstly, from a Samir Ali cross, the keeper saved at point blank range from Hirst's shot and then a minute later another fine stop after a cross from Matas Skarna.

The visitors were being held at bay but it took Grays until the 77th minute to finally get on the scoresheet.

A ball into the box was helped goalwards by Hirst and Samir Ali was on hand to apply the finishing touch, to make it 2-1.

The goal seemed to give Blues greater belief and there was a much more urgency about their play in the final ten minutes. Kye Jude produced a fine through ball to Samir Ali and his cross was cleared behind for one of several late corners.

And from another, Hope twisted and turned the defence, fizzing the ball across the six yard box, but evading everyone, when the slightest touch from anyone would surely have seen the ball cross the line

So Grays left empty handed again.

Early mistakes cost them dearly and they didn't really turn the screw until it was too late.

The next two fixtures against struggling Ipswich Wanderers and Basildon United now take on increased significance for Blues, to put more points on the board.