Grays Athletic 1, Canvey Island 2

IN what was probably their most important Isthmian North encounter so far this season, Grays went down to a sucker punch late goal from old nemesis Ross Wall, making it seven league defeats in a row for Blues.

The sides had already met this season in the First Qualifying Round of the F.A.Trophy at the Steve's Taxis Stadium. Canvey, managed at the time by Garry Kimble, ran out 4-1 winners with goals from Mitchell May (2), Conor Hubble and Evans Kouassi. Grays' reply came from Ned Hepburn. Former Manchester City player Kevin Horlock now sits in the Gulls' managerial hot seat.

For a side as equally bereft of form and confidence, Canvey showed much the better attitude from the off and it was only a determined showing from the home defence and a sound debut in goal by Ayaz Kazi that kept the visitors at bay. Teenager Kazi numbers Oxhey Jets, Arlesey Town and Everett Rovers among his former clubs.

As mentioned in the match preview, Grays' recent record against the Gulls is a catalogue of disaster and the performance and result on Saturday (17 October) turned out to be just another chapter.

Before the match there was a moment of tribute to stalwart Blues fan Colin Tillett who recently passed away.

When the action started Canvey could have taken an early lead when Wall broke through the Grays back line but was well offside in doing so. Blues did then create several half chances of their own but they were more against the general run of play and possession than as a result of any sustained pressure. Tyler Brampton tried his luck from long range and Gabriel Chapps shot wide.

However, on the half hour Blues did take the lead (just as they had done last week at Little Oakley). Chapps squared the ball to Sam Wade and he rifled in a shot from the edge of the box past the helpless David Hughes in the Canvey goal.

Soon after, Brandon Adams tried an audacious shot from almost on the half way line, when he saw Hughes out of his goal but the attempt trickled just wide of the post.

For all their endeavour, Canvey couldn't find a way through. Out wide, Jaylen Jones and Lester Ward were both a constant threat but the final ball was too often lacking.

The Gulls came out with determination at the start of the second half, looking much more dangerous. The first action was a real rarity - Jack Cawley's exocet of a long throw (Canvey's only real weapon for much of the game) cleared everyone in the penalty area and went straight into the net without touching any player on the field. After a moment's reflection, referee Ben Maskery realised what had happened and rightly disallowed the goal.

But the visitors were upping the pressure without any real response from Blues. Elliott Sartorious, once of the Grays parish, hit an upright with a deflected shot and Lester Ward was allowed to carry the ball a long way before bringing a good save from Kazi.

It was though only a matter of time before the equaliser came. Another Cawley long throw was only half cleared by the Grays defence and the ball fell to Conor Hubble, alone with far too much time and space to pick his spot past Kazi to make it 1-1.

Chances were few and far between at both ends. Chapps could only put the ball on the top of the net and an onrushing Canvey keeper Hughes was brave to deny sub Matt Price a clear sight of goal. At the other end, the visitors largely relied on Cawley launching the ball into the area and then trying to pick up the pieces, but too often Grays were guilty of feeding him the opportunity to do so.

As the half wore on, the home side were hanging on to the point they had but with just a couple of minutes left on the clock, Hubble crossed into the area and there was Wall at the far post to head home from close range - meat and drink to an experienced striker of his ilk.

So once again, Grays took the lead in a fixture and came away with nothing. But in truth there were few signs of the quality needed to get games like this over the line. To their credit, Canvey dug in and fought for the victory. Things need to change for Blues, and fast.

But with two games in the next week - at home to Walthamstow on Wednesday (Wednesday, 21 October) and then a trip to fellow strugglers, Lowestoft - there are chances to make amends.

Grays Ath : Kazi, Brampton, Moss, L.Clark, Hogan, F. Price (82, Joynes), Muldoon, Chapps, Morritt (65, Kileba), Wade, Adams (71 M.Price). Subs not used : Drew, Burkey.