However, it was The Rocks who opened the scoring when Mitchell Gilbey found space in the box to lose his marker and loop a header over Lamar Johnson and into the net.

Things got worse for Grays when Sam Higgins produced an outstanding right footed volley from outside the area to put the Rocks two up.

This was now a real test for Gray who were without a manager and looking a little lost.

Sam Higgins looked head and shoulder above Grays and was showing lovely touches with players such as Gilbey and Harris moving into the channels.

Grays were slowly finding their way into the game with Freddie Ladapo working hard.

However, Sam Higgins had the measure of the Grays defence and so it was no surprise, when he sent a piledriver from 25 yards into the back of the net.

Grays brought on Bradley Fortnam Tomlinson at half time as they looked for a way back.

Grays plugged away and never gave up. They did not really carve out any clear chances though. But in the 66th minute, Joao Carlos bundled the ball home from close range to give the Blues hope.

East Thurrock did not panic but still should have put the game beyond doubt. A Sam Higgins chip hit the bar but apart from that there was precious little from Rocks.

But despite Grays best efforts, The Rocks held out to take all three points and put their promotion challenge back on track.

Grays Ath: Lamar Johnson, Aaron Best-Riley, Joseph Zerafa, Jordan Wilson, Manny Parry, Jay Leader, Arron Wickham, Kenny Beaney, Merrick James-Lewis, Freddie Ladapo, Joao Carlos

Subs not used: Jey Siva, Conor Gough, Mark Bentley, Luis Morrison-Derbyshire, Bradley Fortnam-Tomlinson

East Thurrock United: David Hughes, Ryan Sammons, Tom Stephen, Simon Peddie, Paul Goodacre, Ben Wood, David Bryant, Nicky Symons, Sam Higgins, Mitchell Gilbey, (Joe Paxman 25) Reece Harris.

Subs not used: Ryan Boswell, Conor Wheatley, Tom Anderson,, Darren Phillips