Maldon & Tiptree 1, Grays Athletic 1

GRAYS turned in a battling performance that delighted their loud and enthusiastic band of travelling supporters at Park Drive on Saturday (8 March).

While the Blues have drifted down the Isthmian North table in recent weeks, they appear to be safe from dropping into a relegation battle – but manager Darren Manning will have been keen to avoid any complacency.

There was no sign of that on Saturday when Blues matched their hosts who have been reshaped by new owners and the return of Kevin Horlock as manager and who probably anticipated rolling over the Blues.

The Jammers were three unbeaten and have won the previous two while scoring six goals and conceding none, unsurprisingly given the quality of their recent additions; while Grays had taken one point from their last six matches.

But the visitors had other ideas.

Even after the hosts opened the scoring on seven minutes through Kien Connolly the Blues refused to lie down.

And they deservedly levelled twenty minutes into the second half, Shane Temple scoring against his former club.

Hear manager Manning's post match reaction.

Grays will be back in action on Tuesday with a trip to Concord Rangers.