Grays Ath made the short trip on Saturday afternoon to the latest big spenders, Maldon & Tiptree. The Jammers, under new chairmanship, are planning great things and have already brought in a number of expensive signings, including former Blues hero, Gary Hooper (who was injured and not part of the matchday squad.

But Blues rose to the challenge - it was a game they could have lost, might have won and ended up sharing the spoils.

Grays returnee, Sam Bantick, was a handful all afternoon, and he created the first opportunity just five minutes in, when he pulled the ball across the six yard box from the right edge of the penalty area, but the advancing Luke HIrst just failed to get a toe-end onto the chance.

But it was Maldon & Tiptree that broke the deadlock. Another former Blue, Kien Connolly picked up the ball out wide right and cut in. He scuffed his shot but somehow the ball evaded keeper Danny Sambridge, who will think he should have done better, and nestled into the net for a 1-0 lead.

The sides were well matched, with both defences closing down quickly Maldon always looked dangerous going forward but Blues were showing a fight not seen by the travelling fans in recent weeks.

Grays thought they had equalised on the half hour, when a Bantick free kick was met firmly by Michael FInneran but his header was brilliantly saved at very close range by home custodian, Elliot Justham. And he was at it again five minutes later, when he clawed another Bantick deadball round the post for a corner. Bantick himself took the set piece and produced mayhem in the home box, with the ball ping-ponging around. Maldon defenders put bodies on the line, with Jack Cawley making the final vital clearance.

And Maldon could have extended their lead just before the break. Another ex-Blue, Kai Brown crossed the ball and found the impressive Amine Sassi who headed the ball back across goal and hit the upright.

Half time : Maldon & Tiptree 1 v 0 Grays Athletic

Blues were clearly buoyed by their first half performance and put in one of their best 45 minutes of the season.

Just two minutes in, an Elliott Sartorius cross was headed over by Alejandro Machado before Sartorius himself almost chased down a rogue back pass, but Justham got there just in time. But the home side remained dangerous, with Kai Brown testing Sambridge from a tight angle.

But Grays were not to be denied an equaliser. Finneran let fly from distance and the ball bounced wickedly in front of Justham who did well to palm the shot away for a corner. However, Bantick produced a peach of a dead ball into the box and Shane Temple was on hand to help the ball over the line, to make it 1-1.

But the point was never secure and Sassi hit the woodwork again, this time from a cross by Matthew Yates. Grays though continued to press. Temple went close again and a Machado shot grazed the top of the crossbar. But it wasn’t to be. Despite a much-improved all-round performance, Blues had to settle for a point (which perhaps they would have taken before kick-off).

Special mention has to be made of the travelling Blues fans, who supported their side loudly and proudly all afternoon. They are truly the best in the league.

After the final whistle, manager Darren Manning, himself serving the second game of a two match touchline ban, was full of praise for his side and the commitment shown throughout the team. More performances like this and wins will surely follow.

Final score : Maldon & Tiptree 1 v 1 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath : Sambridge, Brampton, Moss, Machado, Finneran, Jude, Bantick (74, Hope), Walker, Hirst (30, Temple), Sartorius, Remi (62, Gordon)

Subs not used : Dariri, Skarna