Gorleston 3, Grays Athletic 1

A DISAPPOINTING season for Grays ended with another defeat on the Norfolk coast against Isthmian North play-off-chasing Gorleston on Saturday (25 April) – an afternoon that also ultimately ended in frustration for the home side.

The Greens knew they had to win, and hope other results went their way, if they were to achieve the play-offs and they began well, getting off to a perfect start after six minutes when Luke Johnson was sent down the right wing and he  pulled the ball back from near the by line to Spencer Keller, six yards out, and he sidefooted past keeper, George Marsh.

Grays almost got straight back into the game two minutes later, when a header from a free kick bounced up onto the post.

The visitors were playing full part in the clash and, after a period of pressure, equalised in the 36^th minute. The ball was collected by Myles Anderson who pulled it back to Charlie Stimpson. His shot was superbly saved by Antoni Bort but only half cleared. The ball was crossed back in and Anderson was in the right place to head it into the net from close range.

The sides went into the break all square and on the resumption Grays went close again when  Samuel Wade shit from distance and Bort did well to tip the effort over the bar.

Gorleston regained the lead in the 54^th minute. Lewis Johnson's long throw into the box was met with a glancing header from Adam Tann and the ball bounced down and nestled nicely just inside the post.

In the 65^th minute two became three as a great ball from the halfway line on the left found Luke Johnson one-on-one and, this time, he shot past Marsh into the goal.

That proved to be the end of the scoring and at the close, Gorleston were in the play-off zone. Attention turned to Redbridge, who were drawing 3-3 at home to Concord Rangers. The second half kicked off the second half slightly later than Gorleston, who were to suffer a sucker blow in the 95^th minute of the match at the Techsoc.com Stadium when Redbridge scored a winner to snatch fifth place from the Greens on goal difference.

After the match the board of fan-owned Grays issued the following statement: "The board of directors would like to thank all our supporters for their support for the club this season. It is fair to say that this season fell well short of expectations set out by the club and we can assure all our supporters that the board of directors will be working hard from today to ensure that we will not be in this position again.

"Thank you all once again for your support, enjoy the close season and we look forward to seeing you all again in pre season."