Grays took on league leaders Hashtag United under the floodlights at the EMR on Wednesday, hoping to upset the form book, but came up well short on the night.

There were three changes to the starting XI from Saturday's game at Newmarket, with Jordan Clarke, Oli Muldoon and Freddie Price not available. Tyler Brampton, Alex Moss and Gael Kileba, returning.

From the off Hashtag were on the front foot, playing the conditions well, with a fast paced and direct game. It was, however, Grays who had the first attempt, as Denim Nnamudi went close from 20 yards following Gael Kileba's centre. However, it was The Tags who opened the scoring on 11 minutes. A long free kick and a good contest in the air saw the ball dropping to Tag's skipper, Jason Ring, who forced the ball home from close range.

Hashtag were always looking to move at pace, with throw in's especially being launched quickly before Blues were in position. Their shooting was often first time, not needing several touches to get the ball under control. Sam Park hit a first time effort from 25 yards that rippled the side netting and then Mackenzie Drew had to be alert to turn a volley from Harrison Day, around the post.

Grays worked hard to limit the damage, but on 34 minutes were undone by another set piece. Another blocked shot went for a corner on the left and from the kick, Nathan Wilson easily headed home at the back post. In response, Matt Price tried his luck from range, but was off target.

Tags poured forward again and Ring could have added a third from yet another set piece, this time to the near post, but headed over, before Mackenzie Drew made a fine save, this time from a Bilal Sayoud volley. The half time whistle brought an end to a half dominated by the visitors.

Half time : Grays Athletic 0 v 2 Hashtag United

Blues came out in the second half and within seconds of the restart, skipper Lewis Clark was in the referees notebook for dissent. He was followed 90 seconds later by Matt Price for a misjudged challenge for a high ball.

Rob Harvey was replaced by Sam Wade, playing closer to Matt and this shifted momentum in Grays favour. From a free kick out of the left wing, Alex Moss went in bravely and got enough on it for Sam Wade to recycle the ball to Denim Nnamudi who found the bottom right corner passed Joe Whitney's dive.

Remarkably, Grays were back in it, although it needed a superb clearance from Lewis Clark to keep it at 2-1, after Harrison Day had looked certain to score. Mackenzie Drew then denied Tags top scorer, Ellis Devereux, with yet another good save.

However, now it wasn't all one way traffic. A lovely one touch move down the right saw Denim on the end of a lunging challenge from Thomas Anderson. The assistant flagged, but the referee played the advantage. At the next stoppage in play, the referee seemed to have forgotten the foul and failed to issue the yellow card. He did though book Gael Kileba for dissent after Grays had won another free kick.

Whilst you can totally understand the frustration at the decision making (and especially at our own performance), every player must by now know that referees are being directed to clamp down on dissent. We have had too many bookings this season for verbals and the players need to remember how to engage with the referee without showing dissent.

On 65 minutes, there was a debut off the bench for Callum Burkey, replacing Connor Hogan who had picked up a thigh injury. Grays were pressing higher now searching for an equaliser, but in truth, without working Joe Whitney in Hashtag's goal. Unfortunately, any revival was nipped in the bud on 74 minutes as Mackenzie's delayed clearance was charged down giving Sam Park a chance that he calmly tucked away for 1-3. The goal galvanised Hashtag and deflated Grays.

A good move involving Sam and Denim saw Callum head over the bar, before Hashtag firmly closed the door. On 88 minutes a fine pass released sub, Praise Ogbebor down the right and he finished high into the net for 4-1. Finally, salt was rubbed into the wound in the second minute of injury time as another break down the right saw an unselfish pass to Ellis Devereux who had an open goal, to score Tags 5th.

So Hashtag continue their excellent form and stay the top of the table. They are a very good side with plenty of energy, a great attitude and an ability to adapt to conditions away from the 3G at Redbridge, where they now play their home games. They have options when things are not going well and they have all the bases covered.

For Blues it's a 5th straight defeat and with Canvey winning on Tuesday night, we've dropped into the bottom four. We've been schooled in football on the 3G by Newmarket, and in intent and physicality on a heavy pitch by Hashtag. Lessons need to be learned from these defeats and very quickly.

We travel to North East Essex to play Little Oakley on Saturday in what will be our first ever meeting with "The Acorns". Keep the faith and we'll see you there.

Final score : Grays Athletic 1 v 5 Hashtag United

Grays Ath : Drew, Brampton, Joynes, Moss, L.Clark, Hogan (66, Burkey), Kileba (79, Adams), Moncur, Harvey (53, Wade), Nnamudi, M.Price

Subs not used : Chapps, Sammons