From the start Grays moved forward and controlled the pace and a series of free-kicks saw Sam Mott in the Thamesmead goal under pressure. He held both shots by Danny Bunce and saw a curling shot by Harry Agombar go just wide of the post. The away team worked hard to get into the half but Grays were in control going forward.

From a Joao Carlos corner Junior Baker and Lea Dawson jumped to head the ball and collapsed after a clash of heads. Dawson managed to carry on but Baker had to be replaced by Grant Cooper but the home team looked shaken. Still pushing forward Grays created chance after chance but Mott was in superb form as he commanded his defence. Bradley Thomas headed wide from a David Cowley cross and Louis Dennis saw his deflected shot go just wide as the Blues kept the pressure on.

Cowley and Carlos were working hard looking to break through and Jean-Michel Sigere headed just over when clear. Thamesmead kept looking to get into the game and an interception by Jack Hopkins and his pass to the feet of David Noel saw a smart save by Andy Hall to cover the danger. An Agombar free-kick looked to have broken the dead-lock but Mott managed to get his hands to the ball to palm it clear.

Thamesmead were not out of the game as they got control of midfield and forced a couple of free-kicks and the accurate kicking of Ashley Proberts saw Hall hold a cross and Chuck Duru mishit his shot when clear in front of goal.

The home defence were looking a bit disjointed and a mishi
t back pass to Hall allowed Theo Johnson room to take the ball past the stranded keeper to slot the ball into the empty net to give Thamesmead the lead on the stroke of half-time. A late charge by Grays saw Dennis through but his weak shot went straight to Mott as the ref finished the half.

With their tails up Thamesmead started the second half moving forward and a Proberts free kick was headed on by Dawson for Noel to head just wide of the post. Another run by Johnson was cut out by Craig Pope as the away side pushed forward. Bradley Thomas hit a long pass upfield and clever play between Sigere and Dennis put Cowley through but his solidly hit shot went to the arms of Mott.

Jared Small came on for the tiring Sigere on the hour as Grays looked to level and his pace saw the away defence under pressure but the ball would not run for him as he found a way through. A throw in from Pope into the area saw Dan Moore penalised for handball and a penalty to be awarded. Agombar stepped up but disappointedly put the ball wide. Grays tried to raise their game and pushed hard but could not break through the solid away defence. Kenny Beaney put Dennis through but his hard hit shot was held by the in-form Mott.

An Agombar free kick headed goal wards and the ball hit the post and hands of Mott as it looked as if Grays were going to be denied a goal. Noel had two chances to put Thamesmead further in front but mishit both shots as the Blues looked beaten. A late sub brought Sweeney on for Pope as Grays looked for the goal and eventually a Carlos cross found a way through as Thomas rose high to head the ball into the net.

With the draw looking likely a hopeful clearance by Dawson found Bradley Killick clear of the Blues defence and he ran at Hall only to be tripped as he went past. Hall was red-carded for the foul and a penalty awarded. Beaney pulled on the jersey to face Proberts but could not stop the ball hitting the net to give Thamesmead the points with virtually the last kick of the game. The ref blew for full time for a disappointing result for the men in Blue.

Grays Athletic :- Andy Hall, Craig Pope (Joe Sweeney 89), Bradley Thomas, Junior Baker (Grant Cooper 13), Danny Bunce, Joao Carlos, Harry Agombar, Kenny Beaney, David Cowley, Louis Dennis, Jean-Michel Sigere (Jared Small 60)

Subs not used: - Stanley Muguo, Stuart Thurgood.