Concord Rangers 0, Grays Athletic 1
A GOAL from Sam Bantick, his 17th of the season, on his second start since returning to Grays from Tilbury, earned them all three points in Tuesday night's (11 March) Isthmian North clash on Canvey.
The match had been subject to several postponements but arrived at the right time to bolster Grays' end of season prospects, coming off the back of an impressive draw at Maldon on Saturday.
It also lifted them to 15th – and puts tens points between the Blues and the drop zone. Plus the blues have two matches in hand, so an fears about looking over the shoulder at a chasing pack appear to have dissipated.
The first half was a pretty even affair, though Rangers were hampered by having to make a couple of substitutions through injury. However, they had the better of the early stages when Grays had to be at the top of their game to retain parity.
As the half wore on, Grays came more into the game and looked the more likely to score. Harry Hope and Bantick both missed the target before Alejandro Machado went on a fine run before having his shot blocked.
Rangers also created a chance through Montrell Deslandes, who brought Grays keeper Danny Sambridge into action for the first time in the evening.
The deciding goal came late in the half. 45 minutes were on the clock when Bantick pounced on a defensive mistake and won a race for the ball with Concord keeper, Harry Seaden and he finished confidently to give Blues the lead.
Concord made a further change at the break, with Kian Cocking coming on and he almost made an immediate impact with some tricky dribbling followed by a shot just over the bar.
However, that was to be as close as the hosts went and Grays, dropping deep at times but with a steely determination, held on for the welcome win, their first in eight matches.
Grays will be back in action on Saturday (15 March) with the visit of Cambridge City to Chadfields.
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