Ipswich Wanderers 0, Grays Athletic 1

GRAYS went to Suffolk on Tuesday evening (18 March) looking to continue their run of good recent form in the isthmian North.

Their opponents had also picked up a couple of wins in their fight to avoid the drop, so nothing was taken for granted.

Blues were also short of manpower on the evening, with injuries, suspensions and planned absences depriving Darren Manning of several first choice players. And it was the late, late show that finally grabbed the points

Blues really should have had the game wrapped up by half time, dominating possession with plenty of set pieces and shots from all over. However, Ipswich are fighting for their lives and defended doggedly to repel all borders. The first chance, in the eighth minute, was set up by Elliott Sartorius and Louie Remi for Harry Hope, whose shot was saved by home keeper, Warren Burwood.

The Ipswich defence then conceded the first of many corners in the half, which Remi nearly curled straight into the net. Harry Hope then let fly a long range free kick that Burwood almost bungled, spooning the ball round the post for another corner, which led to a melee in the six yard box, with the rebounded off the upright.

Grays were knocking the ball around nicely, with Aron Gordon and Louie Remi particularly lively out wide. Ipswich were struggling to get out of their own half and a rare foray into Grays territory saw them get a free kick just outside the box but Ben Stannard's delivery was readily cleared.

Alejandro Machado went close with a header from a Harry Hope cross and just before the whistle, Burwood kept out a Sartorius attempt.

Grays started the half brightly. Elliott Sartorius was the first to a long ball from Tyler Brampton and in trying to lob the keeper, could only put the ball on the roof of the net.

Slowly though, Ipswich started to come into the game and put the Grays defence under sustained pressure for the first time in the evening. Their principal weapon was a tremendous long throw from Owen Andrews that launched the ball well into the penalty area. But the Blues back line was well marshalled, with Kenedi Dariri and Alex Moss standing strong at the centre of the defence.

The biggest scare came midway through the half, when communication between Grays keeper and defence broke down and Ashley Blow nearly profited but the ball bounced over the goal.

As the clock wound down, Grays came back stronger and in the final ten minutes created several good chances. Shane Temple, off the bench, found himself clear in the box but shot straight at Burwood and the two other subs, Samir Ali and (somewhat surprisingly) Brett Munyard combined well, but Ali lost his footing at the critical moment.

And with the game looking like a 0-0 stalemate and time almost up, Matas Skarna produced some great work out wide left. His cross was first met by Temple and then poked into the net from very close range by Elliott Sartorius to break Wanderers hearts but send the travelling Blues fans into raptures.

So Blues register their third victory in a week and continue their climb up the table.

The result was hard on Ipswich Wanderers, who are left to continue their fight against relegation, with their challenge looking increasingly forlorn.

Manager, Manning was again delighted with the commitment and endeavour shown by his pared down squad on the night.

Saturday's fixture at Walthamstow will be a different challenge but hopefully with players returning to deepen resources, the winning run might continue.