GRAYS Athletic carry the borough banner into the first round of the FA Trophy today when they play host the fellow Isthmian North side Stowmarket Town.

The Blues came through the last round after a spot-kick win against fellow Step Four side Faversham Town from the Isthmian League South East Division. That match finished goalless after extra time at Parkside but Grays emerged victorious after a 4-2 penalty shoot-out victory.

Grays currently sit in second place in the table after Wednesday's win against Gorleston but Stowmarket are just four points behind them in seventh place – with a match in hand. So Grays fans won't be taking anything for granted this afternoon, especially against a side with just one defeat from five games on the road in the league to date.

Aveley will be in Isthmian Premier action at Brightlingsea Regent and will have expectations of taking a positive result to bolster their promotion challenge.

After a good win against Haringey Aveley are fourth, six points behind leaders Potters Bar but have two matches in hand – one of them being used up today – while Regent are just one place off the bottom with just eight points from 12 matches and a very poor goals against record so Millers strike-force will be aiming to do well.

Tilbury, whose last league match was a hugely disappointing 5-1 thumping at Heybridge, hit the road again and go to AFC Sudbury who are fifth in the table.

Tilbury did bounce back in midweek and though they lost at Aveley in Monday's Velocity Trophy tie, there was a positive response from the team.

The form team in the division, with three successive wins, is East Thurrock United and they are at home to Witham, hoping to extend an unbeaten league run of six matches.

Rocks go into the match boosted by the news that Aveley have extended the loan period of young defender Ben Steward, who has impressed since arriving at Rookery Hill.