Grays looked determined from the kick off in their quest for victory but seemed out of sorts as their attacks were thwarted by the Abbey defence as they chased the ball to harry the Blues players. Jake Hall won a corner but his cross was held by Rich Hayward as he floated the ball too close to the goal.

Grant Cooper hit a long free kick into the area but James Bunn was unable to turn and shoot as Jack Daveney was quick to the ball and cleared the danger. Hall and Nathan Gordon tried to find a way through and Joao Carlos worked hard trying to push the game on but the diminutive yet solid Waltham defence closed down their runs.

Grays were reduced to trying long range shots as the frustration showed but it was Abbey who had the first real chance of the half when Cole forced a corner and Bristow found Steve Cawley in space but his hurried shot went just over the bar.

George Kamurasi was solid in the Blues goal and held a long shot from Cole and settled the Blues defence with his confident calling. Kenny Beaney found Danny Bunce wide and his cross was headed solidly out by Attard as the attack broke down. Bunce hit an accurate pass to Carlos and his twisting run deserved more than to see Hayward palm the ball clear.

As the half drew to a close Grays knew they had to be patient and build slowly but Bunce hit a rocket wide of the goal with only Hayward to beat, then the final action came from the home side when a Bristow free kick arrived at the feet of Cawley but the striker was off-form as he hit the ball high over the bar.

The Blues came out early for the second half and the obvious half time talk saw them start to play the open football they are noted for as they upped the pace to look for the goals that they needed and they forced a series of corners and Hall found Gordon in space but the home keeper was equal to the task as he held the shot.

Another Hall corner saw Gordon head the ball just over but the pressure was beginning to tell on the Abbey defence as they miss-timed tackles to allow Grays more and more space with Gordon the main threat. Bunce and Bunn were unlucky to see their shots saved by a quick diving Hayward and Hall saw his shot closed down by Bristow.

Abbey gained a free kick just outside the Blues box and Kamurasi held the ball well from the shot by Bruno. Quick thinking by the away keeper saw the ball travel to the opposite end for Gordon to pick up the loose ball run past two defenders and hit a low shot across the goal to settle in the net to give the Blues a deserved lead.

The away side now knew what was needed to be achieved to get the victory and so it transpired. Abbey reorganised and set to take the game to Grays to try to get something from the match and a nail biting twenty minutes saw the Blues defending as a team to hold onto their lead.

Bradley Thomas came on for Cooper and Joe Sweeney came on for the hard working Bunn as the minutes ticked by. Cawley had a couple of chances but they were stoutly held out by the away keeper and cleared by the defence and as the final whistle sounded the away supporters cheered their team off the field knowing it was target achieved.

Grays Athletic: - George Kamurasi, Lee Flynn, Grant Cooper (Bradley Thomas), Junior Baker, Craig Pope, Joao Carlos, Danny Bunce, Jake Hall, Kenny Beaney, Nathan Gordon, James Bunn (Joe Sweeney)

Subs not used: - Paul Olima, Joe Smallwood, Jason Fontaine.

Report by Steve Allen