Blues made the long trip up to Norfolk for Lewis Clark’s first game in full charge for the club’s first ever visit to Mulbarton Wanderers. And it turned into the perfect example of a game of two halves. The home side were much the better in the first 45 minutes but whatever Clark said in the changing room at the break made a real impact.

Grays actually made the livelier start. Freddie Price crossed and the ball came out to Sam Wade whose shot was deflected for a corner. Blues kept the pressure on but then Mulbarton broke away through Owen Lane. Gael Kileba chased back and despite the significant difference in size between the two, referee Mr Lander ruled harshly that Kileba was the transgressor in the shoulder charging and awarded the penalty. It was the first of a series of decisions across the 90 minutes that Blues fans found unfathomable. Lane stepped up for the spot kick but blasted the ball into orbit.

For much of the half, the home side were in the ascendency and Blues really struggled to get a toe-hold in the game. Fortunately for the visitors their back line held its shape well. Elsewhere on the pitch though Grays were sloppy, conceding possession and allowing Mulbarton way too much time on the ball to create opportunities.

And it was therefore no surprise when Mulbarton broke the deadlock midway through the half. For once, Grays defence didn’t clear the ball and it was fed out to Charlie Barber on the right wing. He cut in and shot expertly across Ayad Kazi in the Grays net for a 1-0 lead.

Grays did have a chance to draw level soon after on a rare sortie into opposition territory. Alex Moss was fouled outside the box but Gabriel Chapps could only fire the ball into the wall.

Half time : Mulbarton Wanderers 1 v 0 Grays Athletic

Fortunately for Grays, they came out with a completely different head on. And it took them just five minutes to draw level. They were quickly onto the front foot and from a Freddie Price corner, Jordan Clark stooped low to head the ball past Tom Wright to make it 1-1.

Mulbarton almost struck back quickly. Charlie Norman crossed to Owen Lane but he headed wide.

That apart it was Blues making the running. Connor Hogan threw in a hanging cross-shot and the back-pedalling Wright was forced to tip the ball over the bar and from the resulting corner, Gabriel Chapps headed past the post. Freddie Price then produced a delicious cross that eventually fell to Hogan but he could only volley wide.

Referee Mr Lander then intervened again when Freddie Price went in for a loose ball with a Mulbarton defender (who I won’t name) but who went down screaming and writhing. Blues fans behind the goal reported that there was barely any contact - and after the second yellow had been issued to Price the defender was up and running.

The last five minutes were a real end-to-end Mulbarton forced a corner from which Kieran Smith shot wide and then sub Rilewa Razzaq couldn’t beat Ayad Kazi from the edge of the box. At the other end, Callum Burkey, off the bench, chased down a long clearance but keeper Wright just beat him to the loose ball.

Then with the clock past the 90 minute mark, the moment of real controversy. A Mulbarton corner was easily claimed by Kazi who looked to distribute the ball. Referee Mr Lander started the now obligatory countdown 5-4-3-2-whistle blown, corner awarded. Somehow 1 and 0 disappeared into the late Norfolk afternoon. Blues players were outraged. Had the home side scored from the resulting set-play there would have been pandemonium.

And there was still time for a final heart-in-mouth moment for Grays, when Lennon Thompson broke away for Mulbarton but Tyler Brampton chased back and produced a fine defensive tackle to save the day.

After the game, new manager Lewis Clark was clear that Blues’ first half performance was nowhere near good enough, with too many players well below the level required. Fortunately, the second period was completely different. A share of the points was a fair outcome and Grays will know they have to do better across the whole game to remain competitive.

Final score : Mulbarton Wanderers 1 v 1 Grays Athletic

Grays Ath : Kazi, Brampton, Joynes (66, Burkey), Moss, L.Clark, J.Clark, Hogan, Kileba, Chapps, Wade, F.Price

Subs not used : Morritt, Osas, Harvey