Waltham Abbey 1, Grays Athletic 0

GRAYS slipped further off the pace in the race for promotion from the Isthmian North following Tuesday's (14 January) narrow defeat at Cappershotts.

Following a string of weather-related postponements, this was the first match of the new year for Darren Manning's side, and it proved a frustrating one for the travelling fans in a sparce crowd of just 108.

The hosts have been doing well and the win elevated them to fourth, while Grays are now 13 points off the play-off zone - albeit they have matches in hand on most of the teams above them.

The winning goal came from veteran striker Jason Hallett, a player well known to south Essex supports for his stints over a 21-year senior career with Canvey Island, Concord rangers, East Thurrock United and Chelmsford.

The goal came after 71 minutes of a largely unmemorable match - just six minutes after Hallett had come off the bench.

Grays' task became all the harder then they were reduced to ten men just three minutes later when Sid Walker picked up a second yellow card.

Though numbers were levelled up when Abbey's Lewwis Spence saw red in added time, it was too late for Grays to do anything and their fifth away league defeat of the season was confirmed.

Grays will look to improve on that record when they are back in action on Saturday (18 January), with a tough-looking trip to fifth-placed Witham Town.