Grays Athletic chalked up a hattrick of league wins with a hard-fought victory against local rivals, Maldon & Tiptree, in a game of few clear chances. It was though a performance full of fight and character - and a game that manager Darren Manning identified as one his side might well have lost just a few weeks ago. But this is a squad that are learning how to win and they retain the second meanest defence in the whole of the Isthmian League - Premier Division, Billericay Town with seven goals conceded are just one better than Blues, who are level with Division 1 SE, Ramsgate on eight goals against.

But it was the Jammers who started the game quickest and striker, Matt Price could have opened the scoring in the very first minute, but pulled his shot wide. Grays then started to get themselves into the contest. Aron Gordon and George Craddock combined with the latter’s close-range shot fumbled by visitors’ keeper, Jamie Grossart, but grabbed at the second attempt. Kenedi Dariri then played a fine long cross-field ball to find Gordon out on his customary left wing. He beat several defenders on his way into the box but his cross just evaded Craddock in the six yard box.

Louie Remi was also having one of his better games in a Blue shirt. On 20 minutes, his corner was licked on by Alex Moss and Alejandro Machado stooped low but managed only to head the ball over the bar. Malaki Toussaint then fed the ball through to Remi who held off his defender but just missed the target with his attempt.

Maldon could and probably should have taken the lead just before the break when Samuel Kuffour split the Blues defence, finding Sonny Dutton who advanced on goal but then scuffed his shot badly.

Half time : Grays Athletic 0 v 0 Maldon & Tiptree

Grays suffered an early blow in the second half when Alex Moss went down heavily in a challenge and hobbled off the pitch very gingerly - he has had no luck this season.

The key moment of the afternoon then came 12 minutes in. Matas Skarna, only just off the bench for Moss, exchanged slick passes with Aron Gordon out wide on the left. Skarna cut in and the young Lithuanian’s cross-shot evaded everyone and everything, looping over Grossart and nestling into the corner of the net to give Grays a 1-0 lead.

The game then became one of midfield battles, neither side giving the other any rest. It might not have made for thrilling football but it was a fascinating contest nonetheless. The Blues centre-back pairing of Dariri and Machado were in “they shall not pass” mode, as were the visitors back four. Both managers rang the changes trying to find a combination that would unlock the opposition. Referee Mr O’Meara also gave himself plenty of post-match paperwork, brandishing a host of yellow cards, having set himself a relatively low threshold for bookable offences, in what was always going to be a tight and competitive encounter.

With just over a quarter of an hour remaining, Price forced Danny Sambridge into his most meaningful action of the game with a fine save to beat away the striker’s forceful shot. Almost immediately, Blues other Danny, Gould, went on a lung-busting run the length of the pitch, only ended when bundled over by the pursuing defenders. Gould then combined well with Remi but his long-range shot flew over the bar. Reon Smith-Kouassi, given a late run-out also looked lively showing some tricky footwork and pace to worry the visitors back line.

Maldon & Tiptree however finished the game the stronger but couldn’t land the blow to level the game. Ellis Sullivan snuck in at the far post but sliced his attempt and then deep into seven minutes of added time, Blues fans held their breath as Kuffour’s shot looked goal-bound but just curled wide at the last moment.

So Grays held on for a spirited win that lifts them up to eighth place in the table with games in hand on most of the sides above. The commitment and togetherness sought by manager, Darren Manning, since the start of the season is now clearly coming to the fore, something that is being reflected in the results as well as the performances.

Final score : Grays Athletic 1 v 0 Maldon & Tiptree

Grays Ath : Sambridge, Toussaint, Moss (50, Skarna), Machado, Dariri, Walker, Gordon (72, Gould), Sartorius, Hirst, Craddock, Remi (87, Smith-Kouassi)

Subs not used: Sandhu-Nelson, Henry-Rose