Both goals remained intact as these two teams carried on where they left off following their mid week Cup Final encounter. The game however never reached the same heights mainly due to a combination of a blustery wind,uneven playing surface and a poor display from Referee Mr Burridge who's inconsistency angered both sets of players and management.

Mark Bentley made three changes to his squad,Connor Gough returning in goal for an unwell Lamar Johnson,and James Stevens and Connor Davidson back after being cup tied in the week.Harry Agonbar,Nathan Ferguson dropping to the bench.

Just as they did in midweek Grays immediately took the game to Hendon,Jaoa Carlos winning a free kick in the opening minute Jey Siva's kick just eluded the head of GB Dumaka and was cleared behind for a corner.

Continued Blues pressure was rewarded with another corner,from the kick Hendon keeper McNamara who had been so impressive in the previous encounter was forced into a weak punch the ball dropped to Dumaka who blazed over.

The visitors won a corner in their first attack but failed to capitalise and the kick was dealt with clinically by the Grays defence.Bradley Fortnum-Tomlinson who had been so effective with his pace in the midweek game won a free kick which McNamara again fisted away from danger.Tomlinson did well on another searching run winning another corner from which Jay Leader headed just wide.

Grays increased the pressure Correy Davidson was unlucky cutting inside he unleashed a drive beating McNamara and the bar.Dumaka won a corner following a good run Siva's kick finding Davidson who's flicked header went inches wide.

Grays were now having the lions share of the play forcing Hendon into counter attacks using Smith as a target but Sean Cronin and Manny Parry policed him well not allowing themselves to be turned in the visitors attacks.

The swirling wind and unpredictable bounce was causing both sets of players problems,the flow of the game was not helped by some strange decisions from Referee Burridge as a consequence tensions between the players resulted in some heavy tackles some punished others not.Maclaren for Hendon was never far from controversy in particular verbally abusing Carlos despite the latter being on the end of some bruising challenges.

Correy Davidson looked lively throughout the half so it was disappointing to see him pull up with what appeared to be a hamstring problem,Nathan Ferguson replacing him on the stroke of half time.

HT 0-0

From the restart Dumaka fired in a cross shot that failed to trouble McNamara whilst at the other end a foul on the edge of the box by Cronin led to a Hendon free kick Cronin redeemed himself by heading over for a corner to avert the danger.

Grays came close to an opener when from a Hendon attack Gough launched a huge kick resulting in a corner, Siva drove the ball in it looked to be curling into the net but dropped agonisingly just over the bar.

Hendon introduced Da Costa who had proved a tricky customer in midweek and his presence led to a period of Hendon pressure as the visitors looked to utilise his pace Smith came close with a glancing header from a corner.Blues dealt well with the pressure and gradually pushed Hendon back,Braithwait under pressure was booked for a cynical handball,Siva sent in the free kick which McNamara did well to turn over the bar.Beaney was then unlucky with an effort that flew wide.

Grays were now dominating proceedings illustrated by the mounting number of corners but despite the pressure were unable to carve out a clear cut opportunity as the visitors defended in numbers.The Blues cause was not helped by some baffling decisions by Mr Burridge which disrupted the flow of the game Braithwait In particular was lucky to stay on the pitch following a number of robust challenges which went unpunished yet Carlos found himself in the book for an innocuous tackle much to the fury of the Grays bench and home fans.

Cronin thought he had scored when his powerful header was cleared by Maclaren as Grays continued to bombard the visitors goal,in a rare Hendon attack Smith gave the Blues a fright when his header sailed just wide of the upright.The visitors nearly got their noses in front when Ferguson half hit his intended pass allowing Smith to intercept he beat the advancing Gough but to the relief of the home fans Cronin was on hand to clear the ball to safety when a goal looked likely.

The scare galvanised Grays and they now layed siege to the visitors goal,Leader was unlucky with a shot on the turn,Parry then sent a powerful header just over.Carlos probably should have done better when in on goal his powerful shot hitting the side netting confusing the home crowd who were convinced he had got the winner.McNamara then made a great stop from a Blues free kick at the expense of yet another corner.Glen Little came on in place of Stevens hoping his experience would unlock the Hendon defence.

It was now one way traffic but Grays frustratingly just couldn't find that elusive opening the Hendon goal at times leading a charmed to their credit Blues continued to work hard but were to be denied by a durable Hendon side as the Referee brought proceedings to a close.

The game was never a classic encounter with both sides finding the conditions difficult not helped as has been said by some weak refereeing.The result leaves the Blues with an outside chance of making the playoffs should results go their way.Manager Bentley will ensure they go into the last game at Kingstonian fully prepared and who knows maybe that last place may well be theirs.

Grays Athletic: Gough Leader Siva Cronin Parry Stevens Davidson Beaney Dumaka Fortnam-Tomlinson Carlos
Subs: Agombar Ferguson Little Bentley Moses

Attendance: 253

To watch match highlights filmed by Kevin James go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkVEJoSjgIY&feature=youtu.be