Grays Athletic 1, Lowestoft 2

DESPITE defeat at home by Isthmian North relegation rivals Lowestoft – who secured their own safety with the win – Grays are all but mathematically sure of also staying up after Saturday's (18 April) clash at Chadfields.

The Blues celebrated their  annual community fun day by parading all the youngsters who play for club sides and there were stalls and treats around the ground in front of a crowd of 640.

In truth few will remember the game which was not of the highest quality as tension was high and players lived on the edge of their nerves. But that doesn't really matter to Grays because a comeback win by Walthamstow against Mildenhall and a drubbing for Takeley means that it would take a remarkable final day turnaround for Grays to be relegated because of their substantially better goal difference than the other two clubs.

Mildenhall sit in the final drop position, three points behind Takeley and Grays who have accrued 44 points. Takeley have a last day home match against Wroxham – who will be pressing to squeeze into the play-offs while Mildenhall travel to second-placed Felixstowe who will be big favourites – though it's unlikely they will turn around a three-point gap and a goal difference of 15 worse than champions-elect Maldon & Tiptree.

Grays also travel to a promotion-hopeful side and there will be no easy pickings at Gorleston but they take the trip to the east coast knowing their survival battle – launched under interim manager Paul Joynes in February is almost home and hosed.

Joynes and assistant Mitch Hahn's record since taking over on 21 February is not spectacular, but they accrued 13 points from 12 matches, probably the most important being last weekend's Thames derby 1-0 win against Concord rangers which have them the breathing space required going into the last two matches.

Understandably, both teams were edgy in the opening exchanges yesterday and perhaps everyone was a bit guilty of rushing things to try to make an early impression.

For the visitors, Connor Deeks shot wildly, matched soon after by Ramiah Mills' effort for Blues. Connor Martin found Manny Ogunrinde with a great long pass, and he finished with aplomb only to see the linesman's flag go up for a clear offside.

But it was Lowestoft that made the breakthrough. A cross into the box saw some poor marking and hesitant goalkeeping allowing the Trawlerboys leading marksman, Aaron Bullent the opportunity to loop a header into the unguarded net for a 1-0 lead.

Try as they might, Grays could not find the equaliser, despite creating a couple of very presentable chances. A Jordan Clark cross was set up for Gabriel Chapps who fired wide and then Chapps turned provider for Ogunrinde, who was equally off-target.

At the other end, Bullet could have had a second but his shot was comfortably held by George Marsh at the near post.

In the second half Blues continued to fashion half chances but nothing that seriously challenged Ben Self in the Lowestoft goal. A long free kick from Marsh found Clark at the back post but he couldn't connect properly with the ball and then Kye Jude headed wide from a Ned Hepburn corner.

Lowestoft were looking to protect their lead and defending stoutly, playing mostly on the break. Ashton Blogg had a good chance from a long-range free kick, but he too couldn't hit the target.

There was a moment of contention just before the mid-point of the half. Grays attacked in numbers and fired in a succession of shots, as the visitors failed to clear properly. After the last attempt from Ogunrinde, there was a loud appeal for handball, as Lowestoft defence closed ranks. But referee Timothy Scheitroma (who had an indifferent afternoon) only awarded a corner - from which Blues finally had a shot on target through Jordan Clark.

Lowestoft went further ahead soon after, when perhaps the best-worked move of the afternoon fell to Kyle Haylock who finished smartly from an angle to double the visitors' lead.

That second goal seemed to energise Grays to find a level of urgency that had, disappointingly, been missing up to that point. They emptied the bench looking for the key to unlock the visitors defence and nearly found it when subs Guy Norton and Sam Wade combined but the latter's header just cleared the bar.

And with seven minutes left on the clock Wade's neat cross found the final sub Caiden-Ellis Remy-Dee inside the six yard box and he tucked away the chance to set up a grandstand finish. Lowestoft dropped ever deeper and Grays played with an intensity that would surely have borne fruit had they done so earlier in the game. A trademark long throw from caused confusion in the defensive ranks and Connor Deeks headed awkwardly back towards his own goal but, for him, wide enough to spare embarrassment.

So Lowestoft took the win and celebrated their own safety. But news then filtered through of the full-time scores from elsewhere that brought a smile to faces of the home fans.

But the final word has to be one of tremendous thanks to the local community, who came out in numbers to be part of the celebration day.

A club spokesperson said: "The half-time parade by our youth teams was a great reminder of the part we play in bringing football to so many local young people - and a huge vote of thanks goes to all the parents, grandparents, volunteers and coaches who make this happen week in, week out.

"You are the very lifeblood of what our great club is all about."

Grays Ath : Marsh, Brampton, Martin, Clark, Jude, Anderson, Hepburn (72, Norton), Stimson (75, Remy-Dee), Chapps (80, Gordon), Ogunrinde (72, Wade), Mills (72, Hahn).