It's a measure of the progress Blues have made under Mark Bentley's fledgling management that they were disappointed with only a share of the points against their nemesis Canvey Island at Park Lane on Saturday. Had they taken the numerous chances created then they could and probablyshould have recorded their first victory in 12 years .

Canvey had the better of the early exchanges forcing two early corners as they penned Grays back but the Blues defence held firm gradually allowing the visitors to get a foothold in the game, and in their first attack Dumakas shot was parried by Canvey stopper Brown with no Grays forward able to capitalise on the rebound.

Jordan Wilson was inches away from a great cross by Jey Siva as the Blues began to gain the ascendancy, Joao Carlos was unlucky when his shot sailed over ,Jay Leader equally unlucky when his header from a corner dropped just wide.Carlos was giving the portly Gulls fullback Collis a torrid time and from a free kick following a Collis foul James Stevens whipped in a viscious ball which Brown did well to punch away under pressure.

Canvey gave the visitors a fright on 33 minutes when Jay Curran chipped the ball over Gough and in the resultant melee Collis drove high and wide when well placed ,the Gulls were coming into the game more as the Blues tended to give the ball away to easily and from one such error Sykes capitalised putting Canvey one up on 42 minutes .

The goal stung Grays into action as they pushed Canvey back they, came close when Dumarkas lob volley beat Brown and fizzed just wide of the post.

The Blues went into the break trailing but up until the goal were looking comfortable ,one felt if they were more positive in possession and in front of goal then they were more than capable of getting back into the game.

HT 1-0

Straight from the kick off Grays pressed forward, good work by Jordan Wilson on the right resulted in a searching ball to Nouble who's shot failed to test Brown hitting the side netting, Carlos then had his cross shot saved as the visitors searched for the equaliser.The game was beginning to get fractious with niggly fouls committed by either side, Canvey keeper Brown was warned about time wasting as the home side looked to frustrate Grays.

On 66 minutes Brown did well to turn a fierce Stevens free kick on to the post and away, Dumaka then failed to make good contact on the ball when through with only the keeper to beat,moments later the same player hit a low cross into the box with Wilson just failing to make contact. The visitors were pressing hard for the equaliser but were again guilty of sloppy play tending to under hit passes.

Nouble who was having a quiet game by his standards was replaced by Ferguson on 71 minutes to add some pace to the Blues forward momentum as they probed the Canvey rearguard.

On 78 minute Bentley entered the fray at the expense of Stevens to try and give the midfield more impetus as Grays continued to seek
that elusive opening , they had a scare when Tobides came close beating Gough with a lob that was inches wide.At the other end the visitors continued to create chances but without testing Brown much to the frustration of the Blues travelling fans.

Canvey were now hanging on as the visitors forced a number of corners to no avail,but then came the breakthrough in the 88th minute when from another corner Manny Parry was on hand to nod the ball home to bring Grays level, it was no more than they deserved as they doggedly stuck to their task and might even have stolen a win as they continued to dominate the closing minutes.Dumarka again should have done better when in on Brown but the keeper saved well.

So another well earned point for Bentleys young charges it could be said they just need a little more composure in front of goal and more care in possession however the improvement over the last few weeks is marked and today was another one of those games that a few weeks ago would have resulted in a different outcome.

Tonbridge Angels provide the opposition next Saturday at Mill Field KO 3pm,the Blues will be looking to avenge a disappointing defeat in the FA Trophy earlier in the season and a repeat of the league encounter win will hopefully boost the feel good factor in the camp and set the Blues up for a good run in to the end of the season.

Grays Athletic Gough Morrison-Derbyshire Siva Leader Parry Stevens Wilson Beaney Dumaka Nouble Carlos
Subs[/bBentley Ferguson Marfo Fry Johnson
[b]ATT361