Wroxham 1, Grays Athletic 1

Grays made the long journey to the Norfolk Broads to take on Wroxham in their latest Isthmian North encounter and they came home with a well-deserved point, although they left it late.

For long periods though the Blues were clearly the better side but just couldn't convert possession into goals.

Blues started the game very much on the front foot, with good energy and movement across the Yachtsmen's wide pitch. In the very first minute, Jayden Silcott-Brown was desperately unlucky to see an offside flag when he broke clear of the home defence.

But then in the 10th minute, Grays had their keeper, George Marsh, to thank for keeping the score level. Jordan King's cross found Liam Jackson in the clear not much more than six yards out. Somehow Marsh stuck out an arm to keep the ball out.

Grays fought back well though, as play swung from end to end. Joe Paxman in particular started to find his feet. His long pass found Silcott-Brown whose shot just cleared the bar. At the other end, Wroxham won a free kick on the right edge of the Grays box but James Moore's free kick was cleared for a corner. Guy Norton then launched a long throw into the home penalty area but Callum Fitzer couldn't muscle his way through the crowded defence.

With six minutes of the half remaining, things went up a notch. Silcott-Brown went on a good run and found Norton, whose cross was put out for a corner, from which a Lewis Clark header brought a fine save out of home keeper, Tom Coombe.

The clearance fell to Asa Mcgeachy and he set off down the pitch. Indeed, he kept going and the Blues found themselves short at the back and Mcgeachy didn't stop and finished clinically past Marsh to give Wroxham the lead.

The second half was almost the story of what might, or should have been, for Grays. They dominated possession and made regular incursions into the Yachtsmen's territory. But, as all too often this season, a lack of cutting edge up front was costing Blues dear.

Post match view from assistant manager Callum Bolger:

A Callum Fitzer corner on the quarter hour caused consternation in the six yard box but no Grays player could apply a finish. Alfie Wellans then played Gordon, just off the bench, through the back line, but Coombe came out bravely to clear the ball. A series of chances came and went for Blues despite some fine approach play.

The Grays defence could not switch off though, as Wroxham used the width of the pitch well and Mcgeachy's cross just evaded his team-mates. For a period, it also seemed that the officials were doing Grays no favours. Fitzer was pushed over right in front of the linesman, who remained unmoved but he was quick enough to raise his flag for several very tight offside calls, much to the annoyance of the watching Blues faithful.

Gordon was producing some great work. First, he set up Sid Walker who fired over and then his corner was cleared off the line by a home boot.

Wroxham were playing on the break, trying to protect their lead. And when Sam Johnson found himself clear, George Marsh had to be alert to the danger.

With time running out, Silcott-Brown made good yards down the right and his cross was met from close range by the head of Gordon to level the score at 1-1. It was certainly nothing less than Blues deserved, but the head of the Grays winger was certainly not the expected route to goal.

With a slew of substitutions and several long breaks for treatment, referee Mr Jessup played a full ten minutes of added time. And it was in the last of these that Harry Hope found himself with only one defender to beat but he couldn't get the shot away and the chance was gone.

But this was a fine battling performance by Grays and one that should augur well for the upcoming run of games in both league and cups, starting on Wednesday night (1 October) when they entertain Cambridge City who sit just a place above the Blues in 17th.

Grays Ath : Marsh, Paxman (68, Brampton), Norton (95, Joynes), Jude, L Clark, Turner (61, Gordon), Walker, Wellens, Fitzer (76, Shelvey-Negus), Hope, Silcott-Brown. Sub not used : Romer.