Brightlingsea Regent 1, Grays Athletic 

THIS was a battle of in-form sides with hosts Regent having won five of their previous six in the Isthmian North, while Grays had gone one better with six victories on the spin.

And it was to be the visitors who prevailed, moving into the top ten and doing landlords Tilbury a favour.

Fourth placed Brightlingsea Regent were seven points behind the leaders, and had a nine point lead over sixth place Tilbury, before Saturday's (5 April) encounter but Dockers emphatic win against Sporting Bengal means that gap has been cut back.

The first half ended goalless but Grays struck the first blow when powerhouse Alejandro Machado put the visitors ahead eight minutes after the interval with his twelfth goal of the season. 

Five minutes into added time sub Sam Bantick made it two-nil to the visitors with his 18th of the season. 

There was still time for Fletcher Alexander Hubbard to get a goal back for Regent in the closing moments but Grays were home and hosed and the team spirit shone through in celebrations with the ecstatic travelling fans and in the dressing room. 

Grays will test themselves again with a home clash against third-placed Felixstowe next weekend.