Grays cleared their latest hurdle to progress through to the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy with a relatively comfortable win over Milton Keynes Irish, although the scoreline suggested a closer game than the fans witnessed.

Manager Darren Manning gave a first start to two of his recent young recruits, Alfie Wellens and Jack Taylor, with a third, Thierry Stewart, on the bench. And none were overwhelmed by the occasion and impressed greatly.

The first half was probably Blues most dominant performance of the season and if they had taken their chances, the scoreline could have been a very lopsided one. Jayden Silcott-Brown and Harry Hope both had early attempts before MK Irish’s first opportunity fell to Owen Brooks but his shot was readily saved by George Marsh.

At the other end, visitors’ keeper Tom Ladyman pulled off a brilliant save to deny Harry Hope before Matthew Haworth had a clear chance from a Ryan Kelsey cross but couldn’t finish. After that, it was very much one-way traffic as Blues piled on the pressure.

There were a succession of half chances with various Grays players willing to have a shot at goal. Casey Nolan-Samuels went on several marauding runs through the MK Irish lines and Alfie Wellens was becoming an increasing influence in midfield, finding time and space and barely wasting a pass. A succession of Nolan-Samuels long throws were also causing consternation in the visitors defence but Blues just couldn’t carve out that clear chance. And credit must also go to the MK Irish players for putting their bodies on the line to keep Blues at bay.

Then with half time approaching, it took a penalty to break the deadlock. Howarth downed Silcott-Brown in the box and Callum Fitzer stepped up to convert the spot kick, for a 1-0 lead.

But then, against the run of play, MK Irish went straight up the other end and levelled things up. Clinton Zawe was given too much time to get in his cross and Owen Brooks had a simple tap-in to make it 1-1.

Half time : Grays Athletic 1 v 1 Milton Keynes Irish

Blues came out for the second half looking to make amends for allowing the equaliser. Jack Taylor caused confusion with a flick-on header from a Nolan-Samuels throw and Harry Hope brought another good save from Ladyman.

Silcott-Brown then had two chances in a minute. The first was deflected for a corner and the second came back off a post. Too often though Grays seemed a little urgent to make the most of their possession, with shots from outside the box rather than working the chance, But it really was only a matter of time. Midway through the half, Nolan-Samuels fed Silcott-Brown and his cross was smartly turned in by Harry Hope to make it 2-1 to Blues.

And it was so nearly 3-1 ten minutes later when Ladyman pulled off a save as good as we will see all season, when somehow he clawed out an Oscar Shelvey-Negus header, with the ball already past him and seemingly netbound.

With time running out, new signing Thierry Stewart came off the bench and with virtually his first touch was presented with the ball out of the blue by a Ladyman sliced clearance. But in his haste, he shot straight back at the keeper. It could have been a dream start for such a promising young player.

And with only a one goal lead things can always be shaky and in the dying seconds James Meadows put a header wide when a better connection might have levelled things again.

This was definitely one of Grays’ more controlled performances of the season so far and Darren Manning was pleased with the workrate and commitment shown by the whole team over the 90 minutes. The FA Trophy still has a place deep in the hearts of many of the Blues faithful and it will be a great lift being in the hat for Monday’s 2nd qualifying round draw.

Final score : Grays Athletic 2 v 1 Milton Keynes Irish

Grays Ath : Marsh, Nolan-Samuels, Joynes, Walker, Turner, Jude, Gordon (60, Paxman), Wellens (82, J Clark), Fitzer (67, Stewart), Hope (60, Shelvey-Negus), Silcott-Brown

Sub not used : Romer