A surprisingly lacklustre performance from Grays Athletic saw them pass up the opportunity to regain a play-off place as they were put to the sword by two very good finishes from a motivated Gorleston side.

The Blues started on the front foot and in the opening five minutes Alex Moss went close with a header, Samir Ali fired just wide and Louie Remi forced Antoni Bort into a good save to keep the scores level.

Gorleston worked their way into the game and Luis Shamshoum making his debut in the Grays goal, deputising for the unavailable Danny Sambridge, was smartly off his line to deny Alby Matthews, before producing a fine save to his right to thwart Zach Dronfield.

The Blues then had a goal disallowed after a goalmouth scramble following a corner, presumably for a foul on Bort.

The opener for the home side arrived after 18 minutes when Grays failed to effectively clear a corner and Lewis Johnson finished emphatically on the half volley from the edge of the penalty area.

As Grays struggled to impose their passing game on their opponents, it was Gorleston that had the momentum and they doubled their lead when the impressive Dronfield cut in from their right hand side to fire a curling shot past Shamshoum.

The Blues were not able to work their way back into the game before half time, only going close on one occasion when Remi’s looping effort landed on top of the net.

Half time: Gorleston 2 v 0 Grays Athletic

Despite being urged on by their excellent travelling fans, Grays were unable to produce a strong second half performance as they had done in recent away trips. Indeed, it was the home side that looked likely to increase their lead and only good interventions from Shamshoum denied Ryan Curtis and Dromfield from putting the game out of reach.

On the hour, Samir Ali had the ball in the net, however the referee disallowed the effort, signalling that a handball offence had occurred.

Despite enjoying some decent possession, it was clear that Blues boss Darren Manning was frustrated with his team’s decision-making and final ball and consequently Aron Gordon and Mattas Skarna were introduced to try and effect the game.

The Blues finally gave their supporters something to cheer deep into injury time when a deep cross from Skarna was headed in at the far post by Alejandro Machado for his fifth goal in four games.

Alas, Grays were unable to fashion another opening before the referee brought the game to a conclusion.

Whilst Darren will be happy with the points that his side have accumulated over the past 7 weeks, he knows that they will need to put in better performances than they managed in Norfolk if they are to come home with points from the three tricky away games they face in the next ten days.

Final score : Gorleston 2 v 1 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath : Shamshoum, Brampton, Moss (80, Skarna), Machado, Finneran, Dariri, Remi (66, Gordon), Sartorius (90, Gould), Hirst, Craddock, Ali

Subs not used : Henry-Rose, Georgiev