GRAYS Athletic earned their first point of the season in a 1-1 draw against newly promoted Leatherhead at Mill Field.

Leatherhead are unbeaten this season and when Kiernan Hughes Mason’s well executed goal came after nine minutes (his third in three matches for Leatherhead) the challenge was on for Grays to fight back.

Grays have yet to get going this season and still haven't. But they are feeling their way and you get the feeling they have not settled on their starting eleven.

After conceding the early goal, Grays regrouped and built wave after wave of attacks to pressurise the visitors’ defence.

The Tanners held out until the final minute of the first half before conceding an undisputed penalty.

Leatherhead’s Joe Bruce reached for a cross into the six yard box and bundled over Grays forward Chris Bryan. Freddie Ladapo stepped forward and sent the spot kick into the left hand corner.

Grays continued to press forward in the second half. Wells made a pair of stunning saves, turning behind goal bound efforts from Lloyd Harrington and Jamie Guy, before bravely blocking a low drive from Ladapo.

Praise must also go to Leatherhead goalkeeper Louis Wells who produced three stunning saves in the second half as they held on for a point.

Grays Athletic: Conor Gough, Aaron Best-Riley, Frank Everett (Ruddock Yala 17), Lloyd Harrington, Jay Leader, Manny Parry, Joe Benjamin (Jamie Guy 57), Kenny Beaney, Freddie Ladapo, Chris Bryan, Joao Carlos (Jordan Wilson 57)

Leatherhead: Louis Wells, Ryan Cooper, Ryan Dolby, Matt Smart, Joe Bruce, Jerry Nnamani, Harry Priddle (Nathan Koranteng 48), Richard Avery, Carl Rook (Ryan Mahal 70), Kiernan Hughes-Mason, Basile Karagiannis (Felix Ogeah-Andrews 48),

Unused subs: Scott Kinch and Denzel Gayle

ATT-147