Grays Ath came so close to taking a remarkable point away at high-flying and big spending Maldon & Tiptree on Saturday. They held out valiantly until just five minutes before the end of normal time, producing a fine all-round performance that the whole squad should be proud of.

As expected, all the early pressure came from the home side. In the ninth minute, Blues allowed key marksman Anisius Lewis far too much space but his shot was tipped over the bar by George Marsh, before he was tested again by former West Ham, Ipswich and Colchester striker, Freddie Sears. But the best was a fine close-range reaction save from Sears again on the quarter hour. Blues fans just started to believe.

Grays were having to make the most of what possession they had and did so in spades just a few minutes later - Macca Joynes’ cross was flicked on by Alex Moss, which found Callum Fitzer inside the box and he set up Jack Stone who couldn’t miss from close range. 1-0 to Blues but could they hold on.

Sadly for Blues, just a few minutes later, Marsh undid much of his earlier heroics by not committing to clearing a long ball, putting his side under pressure but that said, the quality of Terrell Egbri’s finish from out wide right could only be admired, levelling things up at 1-1.

There was then a period of fast-and-furious end-to-end play. Sears hit a post for the Jammers and Fitzer will rue not making more of his one-on-one chance against home keeper Elliot Justham, who soon after was pressurised by Stone who charged down the clearing kick but saw the rebound go agonisingly a fag-paper’s width the wrong side of the upright.

Maldon though finished the half strongly but the Blues back line held firm against some serious and quality pressure. Egbri’s shot was well defended by Alex Moss and Sears called Marsh into action again from close range. Matt Yates also thought he had scored, only to be denied by a great late clearance from Joynes.

Half time : Maldon & Tiptree 1 v 1 Grays Athletic

The second period found Blues discovering a rhythm missing in the first half, pushing the Jammers back into their own territory. However, in Eastman, James and Cawley they have a backline that is both physically imposing and hugely experienced at a higher level than this. But Grays were knocking it round nicely, especially Michael Bareck who more than once danced his way through the home midfield, setting up chances for Fitzer and Oscar Shelvey-Negus. Casey Nolan-Samuels also came off the bench, launching his long throws into the box.

Grays’ shape was disturbed when the excellent Alex Moss had to be substituted and Maldon soon had the ball in the net following a lovely passage of play, only to see a linesman’s offside flag cut short the celebrations.

It is worth noting that referee, Deryll David, and his team of officials had an excellent afternoon, running the game efficiently and effectively - too often we criticise those out there in black, so praise where it is due.

With ten minutes left on the clock, Bareck produced another superb piece of control to outwit the Jammers and although his through-ball just pushed Stone too close to the goal line, the Blues forward managed to square a pass across the six yard box but there was no-one at home to apply the finishing touch.

With Blues fans starting to think that they might go away with a well-deserved, if unexpected, point, Grays fell to two late strikes in quick succession, giving the final scoreline a rather lopsided look. A fine run and shot from sub Louis Dunne and then a quick breakaway ending with Freddie Sears finally getting on the scoresheet.

It was a harsh ending for Blues, who had pushed title-chasing Maldon to the very end. Manager, Darren Manning was hugely proud of his side’s performance, going toe-to-toe with perhaps the best resourced side at this level of the pyramid anywhere in the country. Jordan Clark completed his first full 90 minutes since his return from injury and debutant Ivan Imasuen looked increasingly assured at the back, against quality opposition.

Things don’t get any easier though, with next weekend bringing a trip to the Jammers’ title-rivals Felixstowe & Walton. But on this showing, Blues have nothing to fear.

Final score : Maldon & Tiptree 3 v 1 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath : Marsh, Paxman (57, Nolan-Samuels), Joynes, Moss (68, Norton), Imasuen, J.Clark, Sartorius, Shelvey-Negus (83, Jude), Bareck, Fitzer (78, Hope), Stone

Sub not used : Drew