Haringey Borough 2, Grays Athletic 1

AN injury-hit Grays went down to defeat against relegation-threatened Haringey in Saturday's (2 February) match that rarely hit the heights

The encounter hinged on two contentious decisions by referee Daniel Blades, but that should not deflect from a second half performance littered with poor decision-making by the Blues. But for a man-of-the-match performance from Danny Sambridge , the scoreline could have been more damaging.

A reshuffled starting line-up saw the returning Sid Walker in an unfamiliar role at fullback in place of injured Kenedi Dariri, the latest addition to Blues' burgeoning casualty list. Luke Hirst limping off early in the first half added to Darren Manning's ongoing selection problems.

Grays were guilty at times of making the wrong decisions in crucial areas of the pitch allowing the opposition to capitalise. Crucially in the second half a tendency to drop deep invited pressure, resulting in aimless long balls played out from the back.

A bright start saw Grays on the front foot, Shane Temple and Luke Hirst looked menacing especially Temple whose pace and aggression caused some anxious moments for the home defence. It was Temple who had the first effort on goal in the eighth minute firing in from the edge of the area testing James West Astute.

Next to try his luck was Hirst who seeing Astute off his line hit a speculative effort from inside Blues half, but the keeper gather comfortably, It was an illustration of the wrong decision given that Hirst had other options open to him.

On 20 minutes another chance fell to Temple latching onto a through ball from Quba Gordon, his effort lacked pace allowing West Astute to save comfortably. On 34 mInutes Hirst limped off , to be replaced by Louie Remi, himself not fully fit.

The hosts eventually rallied and it was Grays' nemesis, veteran Derek Asamoah, who had their first effort on goal screwing his shot wide of the upright.

For the first time the Grays goal was now coming under pressure.

On 38 minutes from a free kick Danny Sambridge fumbled the ball but recovered to avert the danger. Haringey were now controlling proceedings winning a succession of corners, and it was Grays who were relieved to hear the half time whistle after a promising start which faded as the half wore on.

The hosts started the second period as they ended the first winning a succession of corners helped by a ponderous Grays back line. From a free kick Sambridge made the first of many saves denying Matt Young who powered a header, Sambridge swooping to turn the ball behind. Pressure was building on the Grays goal, Jorge Djassi Sambu who was a real threat probably should have done better when unmarked, nodding wide.

Pinned-back Grays' forays into the Haringey half were infrequent, but, against the run of play they managed to get their noses in front. On 53 minutes an aggressive run to the byline from Temple, saw him cut the ball back to Ali, and running in at the far post he poked the ball home much to the delight of Blues' travelling fans.

The goal triggered an immediate response from the home side, Asamoah rifled in a low drive, Sambridge saving well. At the other end Gordon's weaving run from the back set Temple free, West Astute saving.

Haringey upped the tempo, Grays dropped deeper and deeper inviting pressure.

Sambridge again denied Asomoah with another great save. In a rare Grays attack they were denied what looked like a stonewall penalty after a Temple shot was clearly handled in the box but the referee waved away Blues' appeals.

Almost immediately Haringey launched another assault on the Grays goal and in the 65th minute they were level when Matt Young, given too much space drilled the ball past the exposed Sambridge.

The goal had been coming, Grays pinned in their own half were now resorting to long balls out of defence, Manning was now shouting from the touch line to his defenders to push further forward, as a result Grays now enjoyed a period of possession without really troubling the Haringey back line.

Sambridge again came to the rescue when Sambu broke clear and once again saw the Grays keeper do well to turn the ball behind. With just five minutes left on the clock a great run and cross from Ali found Ali Machedo who side footed just over.

In time added on and Just as it seemed that the game was heading for a stalemate came the moment of controversy when Gordon shadowing Bobson was alleged to have tripped the Haringey man. There appeared to be minimal if no contact but Bobson went down dramatically and Mr Blades point to the spoted. David Ofolemi converted.

Darren Manning's post match verdict:

It's now one win in ten since the beginning of December and if results do not improve Grays could get dragged into the relegation zone, though they are 12 points and six places away from the drop zone at the moment

And things won't get any easier on Saturday when Grays travel to second-placed Bury Town, tied at the top on the same points as leaders Felixstowe. If there is any hope, it will come from Blues' recent trip to Felixstowe when they pulled off one of the results of the season.