Grays never looked in any danger as they bossed the midfield with Kenny Beaney and Leon Lalite continuing their formidable partnership in the middle of the field.

The away side took the lead midway through the first half as a Junior Baker cross from the right was headed home by Jack West.

Grays doubled their lead on the stroke of half time as Jeff Hammond found space in the area to nod home Lee Flynn's free kick from the right.

The second half continued much the same as the first, with Grays pressing forward with ruthless efficiency.

Ten minutes into the second half, Jack West was fouled in the area when he was poised to tap home, earning Dave Bastian a yellow card. Danny Bunce stepped up to fire in the penalty to give Grays a 3-0 lead.

Three minutes after receiving his booking, Dave Bastian was given his marching orders after a second foul earned him another yellow card.

On the hour mark, a tentative strike from outside the area by Dave Corran took a massive deflection before finding the far corner of the net to end Grays hope of a seventh successive clean sheet.

Grays responded in perfect fashion, scoring two goals in as many minutes.

First, a cross from the left by Jeff Hammond was met at the near post by the head of Jack West and despite the keeper getting a hand on the ball, could not prevent the goal.

Second, more good work down left saw a deep cross to the back post where Jared Small rose highest to head the ball back across goal where Jack West reacted quickest to tap home and complete his hat trick.

Grays saw out the remainder of the game with relative ease and will be confident heading to Brentwood on Tuesday night, who suffered a 2-0 defeat at Wroxham on Saturday.