When you travel to title contenders Bury Town it's imperative you have a fully fit squad available, unfortunately Darren Manning didn't have that luxury. Shorn of four first team regulars due to injury and suspension, coupled with a further four pressed into action whilst not fully fit, this was always going to be a difficult afternoon. A penalty, a red card for Alex Moss inside the first 36 minutes added to Grays woes, but it must be said unlike the defeat at Haringey the previous week the ten men competed well frustrating Bury until a second goal effectively killed the game.

Bury were quick out of the blocks and after just 3 minutes Danny Sambridge was forced into one of many saves after a clever ball inside provided an opening for ace marksman Cemal Ramadam. Just two minutes later Grays first chance fell to Prince Sikiru, picking up a loose ball, his shot lacked pace allowing Charlie Beckwith to make a comfortable save.

Bury continued to edge the early possession but were caught out by a break on 8 minutes seeing Luke Hirst through on goal , Beckwith winning the race forced Hirst wide diving to push the ball away, the Grays man tumbled to the ground appealing for a penalty but the official correctly waved away Grays' appeals.

Bury's tactic of stretching the play using their wide men was causing real problems down Blues left flank . Max Maughn causing Moss real problems. It was Maughn's pinpoint cross that set up Luke Brown on the six yard line, his powerful header produced the save of the match from Sambridge swooping to his left to turn the ball over.

Gradually though Grays eased themselves into the game, Ale Machedo produced a driving run and shot but failed to test Beckwith.

On 30 minutes Bury made the breakthrough, a ball into the box caused confusion in the Grays box, Ramadan was pulled back with the referee having no hesitation in pointing to the spot, Ramadan converting. The goal was a cruel blow, although under pressure the Blues defence held firm, but just six minutes later came the incident that made Grays task even harder. Dylan Williams put through on goal was challenged unfairly by the last defender Moss, a red card the inevitable outcome.

Down to ten Grays now reorganised frustrating their hosts , but they were indebted to Sambridge once again when he defied danger man Ramadan in a one to one dual.

HT 1-0

Bury visibly eased off at the start of the second period opting to keep possession and not force the game, this allowed Grays to see more of the ball. On 51 minutes Louie Remi created an opening but his shot was high and over,

The Ramadan - Sambridge duel continued, the Bury man through on goal was thwarted one again by the keeper's outstretched leg.
At 1-0 Grays were still in the game defending well and looking for the opportunity to break out, from one such break Elliot Sartorius had a chance but nodded tamely into the arms of Beckwith.

Despite competing well , on 67 minutes came the goal that eventually broke Grays resistance, a slick move out right saw Maughn deliver a ball across the Grays box, hesitation and failure to clear the danger saw the ball recycled finding the unmarked Ramadan manufacturing a clever volley to beat Sambridge.

The goal was a real body blow, the ten men had competed all over the park but the effort was finally taking its toll on tired legs and in the 85th minute a third Bury goal from Maughn, left unmarked in the box sealed the win.

One could say the scoreline seemed a little harsh on a Grays side beset with injuries who had battled for nearly an hour with the one man disadvantage. With a full squad would the result have been different we will never know. We can only hope things improve on the injury front allowing Manning to select from a fully fit squad.

Next up is a trip to Concorde Rangers, supporters should check with the club's website for any updates given the weather forecast for the next couple of days showing rainy conditions.

Sambridge, Brampton, Machedo, Moss, Finneran, Gordon, Remi (Gordon 64), Sikiru, Hirst (Agunbiade 78), Sartorius, Skarna( Henry-Rose 79)
Subs not used:Williams, Hoskins