This was a match that Grays really should not have lost, having played some nice football for much of the game but, as in recent fixtures, they were unable to convert possession and pressure into goals. Indeed, it is now six blank sheets in the Blues last seven outings, since the demolition of Brantham in early November.

The game was played on a heavy, pudding of a pitch, especially in one corner where there was little bounce or run on the ball. But it’s the same for both sides. The early chances fell to the home side, George Pullen hitting the upright from a tight angle and then Jack Mitchell somehow failing to hit an open target from the pacy Jamal Obeng’s cross. Indeed, Obeng was a thorn in the Blues side for much of the afternoon.

Grays though started to show some nice passing football, moving the ball from defence to midfield with little pressing from the home side, who preferred to crowd the back line, leaving little space for the Blues attack to work with. Keeper, Jarvis Monk, was being kept busy - he palmed a great low cross from Harry Hope just round the post and then missed a clearance allowing Michael Bareck to advance on goal, but somehow the ball was cleared off the line and hacked away to safety. Chances kept coming for Blues - with more clinical finishing they could have been out of sight by half time. Jack Stone slipped on the wet grass when bearing down on goal and then Bareck fired just wide from distance. Harry Hope then tried his luck and again Monk fumbled the ball before he pulled off a fine save to keep out a 35 yard howitzer from Sid Walker.

Towards the end of the half, Takeley found their attack again, with Obeng out wide being the principal outlet and creator. His shot was well saved by George Marsh before Mitchell was through again, only to be denied by a great challenge from Kye Jude.

Half time : Takeley 0 v 0 Grays Athletic

As bodies tired on the rain-soaked pitch, the game became increasingly attritional and mired in a midfield battle of head-tennis. Both keepers had little to do and there were few moments of class - although that said it was an engaging contest for the fans. Several times, Michael Bareck tried to dance his way through Takeley’s defensive wall and Harry Hope remained industrious in midfield. At the other end, sub Lanweraju Balogun forced a save from Marsh and Oscar Shelvey-Negus chased back bravely to cut out a dangerous breakaway.

The game changed perhaps when the excellent Jordan Clark, making his first start after his long-term injury, was withdrawn with a quarter of an hour left on the clock. He’d put in a fine shift to last that long in these conditions but the move seemed to set the Blues back on their heels.

And the deadlock was soon broken. Balogun, out wide, skipped past a tiring Blues defence and his cross found Lewis Wicker unmarked at the far post with the simplest of tap-ins.

The goal seemed to deflate the visitors, losing their shape and energy. Darren Manning made changes off the bench and Elton Gjonbala could have done better with a chance from inside the box, but he shot straight at Monk.

So, a dispiriting defeat for Blues with another blank afternoon in front of goal. Things need to turn round quickly and the chance to do so comes next Saturday at home to Downham. At least with no midweek fixtures now, there is the opportunity to get the squad on the training ground for some intense sessions; and the chance to give injured players time to rest and recuperate.

Final score : Takeley 1 v 0 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath : Marsh, Moss, Norton (85, Hlukaku), Walker, Jude, J Clark (75, Gjonbala), Hope, Shelvey-Negus, Bareck, Paxman, Stone

Subs not used : Drew, Strugurean