Grays Ath went to Bowers & Pitsea on Boxing Day looking to continue their good recent league form. But a lack of cutting edge and a tale of two penalty decisions cost the Blues dearly in the end.

Blues started well though and had much the better of the opening exchanges. Aron Gordon was his usual lively self down the left. Debutant Alejandro Machado made a good early impression and it was his shot from distance in just the 8th minute that had to be tipped over by home keeper David Hughes. And Grays were made to pay for not making the most of their possession when a couple of minutes later they made the criminal mistake of giving marksman Matt Price the freedom of the penalty box to guide home a header for a 1-0 lead for Bowers.

The home side then had their tails up. Danny Sambridge was called on to make a great save at close range from a pile up in the six yard box and then Benas Vaivada scuffed a shot, when he should have done better.

All Grays’ best work was coming through Gordon and Jordan Peart and it was the former’s cross into the penalty area that caused panic in the home defence but there was no Blue boot to turn home the chance. Gordon then created another opportunity but Charlie Stimson blazed over. At the other end, Marcus Milner produced a fine defensive clearance to prevent Price from doubling the lead and then the lively TQ Addy pulled a shot wide.

But five minutes before the break the scores were level. Billy Crook fed Aron Gordon, who looked well marked. But he cut along the edge of the penalty area and unleashed the perfect curling shot inside the far post.

And there was still time before the break for Sambridge to deny Price again from close in.

Half time: Bowers & Pitsea 1 v 1 Grays Athletic

The second half was just a few minutes in when referee Mr Whey made his first key decision of the afternoon. A long cross over the top of the Grays box fell towards Jordan Peart but he didn’t see TQ Addy nipping in front of him. The Bowers man went over easily and the referee pointed to the spot. Ben Williamson converted the kick to retake the lead 2-1.

Peart nearly made amends soon after when he went on a rampaging run the length of the pitch, his shot being deflected over for a corner. Billy Crook then shot wide before Jack Humphrey pulled off a miraculous goal-line clearance to prevent Bowers extending their lead. But they were not to be denied, when a Price free kick into the box was met unchallenged by former Blue Geoff Okonkwo, who extended the lead to 3-1.

WIth five minutes left on the clock, Mr Whey made his second big call of the day. Alejandro Machado jinked his way into the penalty area and had his shirt unceremoniously pulled back. But the officials chose only to award Blues a free kick inches outside the box for the first attempt to stop Machado’s run, which he had ridden easily. These kinds of decisions drive players and spectators mad.

The 3-1 scoreline was somewhat harsh on Blues but fair play to the hosts for taking their chances well and creating more than Grays across the 90 minutes for whom individual errors were costly.

Blues need to regroup quickly with New Year’s holiday fixtures against Bury Town and Maldon in the offing.

Final score: Bowers & Pitsea 3 v 1 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath: Sambridge, Milner, Peart, Clark, Finneran, Humphrey, Gordon, Crook, Stimson, Machado, Connolly (Olukolu, 73)

Subs not used: Matyar, Gibson, Cosgrave, Osei-Bobie