After consecutive victories, Grays Ath knew that this fixture away at Heybridge Swifts was always going to be of a different order, even though manager Darren Manning was able to name an unchanged team for the third game running. The Swifts are chasing a place in the end-of-season playoffs and Grays are “work in progress”. And so it turned out - the home side were too strong and a bit too streetwise for the Blues, who created limited chances across the afternoon.

That said, the first chance fell to Blues in the fourth minute. Aron Gordon progressed down the right and crossed for Matas Skarna, who shot over the bar. Heybridge fought back quickly - Lee Noble and Ross Wall combined creating a chance for Danny Nesbitt, which Anthony Page, in the Grays goal, tipped over the bar.

For a while it was end-to-end stuff. Malaki Toussaint played a fine through ball to Gordon and his cross found Billy Crook, whose shot was blocked by the resolute home defence. Heybridge then made the breakthrough on 20 minutes. A deep Kane Munday corner rebounded back off the far post and fell to Ross Wall, who blasted home from close range for a 1-0 lead.

Although the goal eased the pressure on the Swifts, Grays were still in the game. Skarna went close again and Giani Ashley set up Elliott Sartorius, but his fine ball into the box found no Blue shirt loitering.

Ashley and Gordon were the creators of Blues best work and they combined again with ten minutes left of the half. The ball came to Sartorius ten yards out in front of goal, but somehow he put the chance wide. That was to be Grays best chance of the match. Then just before the break, Munday nearly got on the scoresheet himself for the home side, but his shot came back off the post, with Page beaten.

Half time: Heybridge Swifts 1 v 0 Grays Athletic.

The second half showed up the real differences between these two sides at the moment, with Swifts able to manage the game well and Grays struggling to get their foot on the ball and play their own game. It seemed that too many of the visitors’ players were not on top form, giving Heybridge a relatively smooth passage over the 45 minutes.

Early in the half, Michael Finneran made a goal-saving block from top marksman Jack Addlington-Pile; before Toussaint tried his luck from long range, which Noah Phillips, in the home goal, helped over the crossbar.

Heybridge then effectively finished the game as a contest. In the 53rd minute, Rob Harvey was given too much time out wide to fashion a cross, which was met unchallenged by the head of Ross Wall for his and the side’s second of the afternoon. 2-0.

The rest of the half had something of a pre-season friendly air about it. Heybridge content to preserve what they had with Grays working hard but making little impact in the final third. Indeed, Blues had to wait until the 75th minute before creating a meaningful chance - Charlie Stimson, off the bench, headed on a long clearance from Page and Skarna chased the loose ball putting his effort just wide.

But on the day, Blues had to admit they were second best and we wish Heybridge well in their pursuit of the leading pack. That said, the midfield three of Malaki Toussaint, Marcus Milner and Billy Crook are building an understanding that will hopefully serve well for the remaining games. And with new signings by Darren Manning already looking forward to next season, there are reasons to be cheerful for Blues fans after a testing year.

Final score: Heybridge Swifts 2 v 0 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath: Page, Ashley, Humphrey, Machado, Finneran, Milner, Skarna, Toussaint, Sartorius, Crook (Stimson, 65), Gordon (Cosgrave, 46)

Subs not used: Matyar, Clarke, Perry