Bowers & Pitsea 1, Grays Athletic 0

GRAYS ended Tuesday (22 September) evening's Isthmian North sometimes fractious derby at the Len Salmon Stadium with another defeat and ten men.

The outcome meant Bowers sneak into the play-off zone and left Grays just a point above the relegation places at the other end (looking at it more optimistically, they are only four points behind Bowers in seventh). It also meant the Blues have accrued just one point from five away trips this season, which has been unbalanced so far with only two home matches to date.

The visitors made a decent start and were only denied in the seventh minute by a fine save from Samuel Nwabuko.

Chances came and went in equal measure at either end, with Grays stopper Danny Sambridge doing well to deny Manny Shana, who looked lively.

The half ended goalless and with some controversy as Bowers thought they should have had a penalty when Jayden Silcott-Brown appeared to be brought down but ref Jerahl Hall waved the home claims away. Emotions ran high prompting something of a melee soon after in which Silcott-Brown and Grays' Jordan Clark were both booked.

The second half restart echoed the first, with Grays on the front foot and only denied by another fine save from Nwabuko.

That doubled in value a few moments later when Kojo Apenteng grabbed what proved to be a 53^rd minute winner for the home side.

Grays pressed hard for an equaliser but it wasn't to be and the disappointment was increased close to the end when Tyler Brampton picked up a second yellow card and he was dismissed.

Grays: Danny Sambridge, Tyler Brampton, Macauley Joynes, Alex Moss, Jordan Clark, Connor Hogan, Rob Harvey (Ryan Sammons 87), Oliver Muldoon, Samuel Thomas Wade, Denim Nnamudi (Denzel Effah 74), Gael Kileba. Unused subs: Mackenzie Drew, Freddy Moncur, Carter Michael Mcclean.

Because of a cup clash Grays are without a game this coming weekend and return to action at home, against Takeley on Wednesday, 30 September.

Colin Tillett

Before Tuesday's match Grays announced the death of long-time club stalwart Colin Tillett, who has passed at the age of 83 after a long illness.

Colin, was widely known and respected in the community as the Advertising and Sponsorship Manager for the club and was responsible for generating large amounts of income for Grays Athletic over his time in that role. Many of the sponsors that he introduced to the club are still supporting it today.

In due course, the club will announce a tribute to be paid to Colin, as well as funeral arrangements when they are known. A statement said: "Our thoughts today are with Colin's family as we convey to them our deepest sympathies."