Grays Athletic 0-0 Maidstone United
report from The Mariner.

With a more clinical approach in the final third Bentley's boys could well have pulled off yet another win in an unbeaten league run stretching back to the end of February,Maidstone were made to fight all the way in the first half as Grays took the game to them utilising the pace of Tomlinson and Davidson,the second period was a more even affair but the visitors would have been relieved to leave Mill Field with a point.

Manager Bentley made his intentions clear with his team selection,Bradley Fortnum -Tomlinson starting up front with Joao Carlos and Kenny Beaney returning and Jay Leader playing in an unfamiliar right back position.

The opening minutes produced a tentative affair with both sides probing for an opening with proceedings being played out in the middle third neither side managing to wrestle the upper hand.The first opening of note came with Jay Siva's ball into Carlos who's attempt was smothered by Worgan in the visitors goal.Maidstone at this stage of the game were not threatening Lamar Johnson tending to shoot from long range.

Very gradually Grays began to edge proceedings,Tomlinson looking particularly dangerous each time he got on the ball,he did well to slide the ball into Carlos but he turned inside narrowing his options and his weak effort failed to trouble Worgan.Stevens's free kick just outside the area was blocked falling to him again and his second effort was also blocked.Tomlinson again bore down on goal but elected to pass when a shot was the better option.

The Blues very nearly opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Worgan palmed out under pressure from Carlos,Tomlinson was quick to pick up the rebound and tried to chip Worgan who made a great stop to deny the Grays Man.

Maidstone replied at the other end and should have scored when Bodkin played in May who pushed his shot wide of the post under pressure from Johnson,moments later at the other end Cronin failed to get his shot on target from a Siva corner as the half drew to a close.

A good opening half from the Blues who were not overawed by the Stones dealing comfortably with any threat and themselves asking questions of the visitors back line.

HT 0-0

Maidstone were quickly into their stride after the break May tested Johnson with a snapshot from the edge of the box .The visitors picked up the tempo trying to deny Blues time on the ball but still were being stretched by the pace of Davidson and Tomlinson,Davidson after another good break got to the byeline but then put a weak cross which came to nothing.The same duo combined again with Davidson getting into a shooting position but his weak effort failed to trouble Worgan.

The game really began to open out as both sides looked to break the deadlock tackles flew in thick and fast with Huke for the visitors upsetting the home fans with some robust challenges which went unpunished he appeared to butt Manny Parry which fortunately for him the officials failed to spot.

Tomlinson again went on another pacy run resulting in a corner headed behind for another corner the ball fell to Tomlinson again but his first time shot was saved by Worgan.

Maidstone were starting to ask questions of the Blues as they began to dominate possession mainly due to misplaced passes by the home slide,Bicknell was proving a real danger he forced a good block from Johnson at the expense of a corner,from the kick May's goal bound header was cleared by Stevens.The Blues stuck to their task proving again dangerous on the counter Carlos and Dumaka set up another chance for Tomlinson but again his shot was wide.

The visitors forced a number of free kicks and corners in the dying moments but the Grays goal remained intact ,one final effort from Brown sailed high and wide to bring to an end to what had been an entertaining and hard fought 90minutes.

Both sides will have been satisfied with a share of the points particularly the Blues who maintained their unbeaten run and kept their target of a playoff place on course.

Grays are now looking a really difficult side to break down allied with that is the additional pace which had been lacking in the early part of the season. Correy Davidson in particular has been impressive not only for his pace but his work rate off the ball closing down the opposition.

The Blues go again on Wednesday evening at Mill Filed with the visit of Wingate and Finchley another team looking to be in the playoff shake up,Mark Bentley took the opportunity to rest a number of players tonight no doubt some of those will feature against Wingate,one thing is for sure whoever comes into the side they will try and ensure Blues productive run continues.