Stowmarket Town 2, Grays Athletic 0

GRAYS' hopes of building on Saturday's hard-fought win against Bury Town were dashed at Greens Meadow on a cold Tuesday evening where the hosts elevated themselves to fourth place in the Isthmian North with two first half goals.

It was a night of celebration for Town, who went into the match on the back of an unbeaten run of 12 league matches - and they had a penalty shott-out win in the FA Trophy against Grays under their belts to bolster confidence even further.

Before the match Town were honoured with the Vita Risk Solutions Manager of the Month award for boss Paul Musgrove, while keeper James Bradbrook won the November golden gloves competition.

The first of the home side's goal came just before the half hour from Ed Upson who played a neat one-two with Ollie Sotoyinbo in the build-up before slotting the ball home from close range past Grays keeper Danny Sambridge.

A controversial second quickly followed on 36 minutes from Joe Jefford, though Grays were angry that it stood and they appeared to have good reason. A corner was swung in by Reggie Lambe which Jefford headed goalwards and Sambridge was not only unsighted but then appeared to be impeded by Sotoyinbo but after a consultation with his assistant ref Benjamin Bowles allowed the goal to stand, presumably adjudging Macauley Jones, who had come on as an early replacement for the injured Geofrey Okonkwo, was playing Sotoyinbo onside. Judge for yourself on the video clip of the goal.

Sambridge was incandescent and afterwards said: "Imagine having a forward pin you, block your line of sight and you've got to dive through him to get the ball, for them to say he wasn't interfering."

Having got the cushion of a two goal lead Stowmarket had a grip on the game and try as they might Athletic couldn't find a way back.

They created several half chances in the second half with Sam Bantick and sub Anointed Chukwu going close but it wasn't their night and ultimately a poor first half left them too much to do

It was Grays' fourth successive league defeat away from Parkside as their away day travails persist with just two wins on the league road this season.

Lewis Dark's side will be hoping for better fortune when they are back at base and entertain Great Wakering Rovers on Saturday, with a 1pm kick-off at Parkside.