Grays Athletic 2, Gorleston 1

IN a match when both sides were reduced to ten men, Grays pulled off a much-needed win against high-flying Gorleston at the EMR Stadium on Saturday, 22 November.

The visitors were on a five match unbeaten run and arrived in second place in the Isthmian North, while Grays, only three points clear of the drop zone, had lost their previous three - failing to score in each of them.

But form counted for nothing in the end.

Grays matchday mascots Grays Athletic Community Acdemy U9 Blues.

The Blues made a good start and were rewarded after 19 minutes Sam Wade produced the opening goal.

Six minutes later the visitors found themselves a man short when Joe Marsden was given a straight red after an incident off the ball. Grays' Macauley Joynes was also cautioned and that proved costly as, three minutes into first half added time parity in terms of player numbers was restored when Joynes got his second yellow and was also dismissed.

However, the next significant incident, just a minute into the second half, was to prove pivotal as Grays increased their lead with Wade once again the man on the scoresheet.

The visitors were back in the match 11 minutes from time when Cameron Beazer halved the arrears, but Athletic held on for the points.

Grays are next in action on Wednesday (26 November) when they entertain sixth-placed Waltham abbey at Chadfields.