The game started in typically slow fashion with both sides getting plenty of possession in the middle but little penetration towards the opposition goal.

The first real bit of quality brought the opening goal on 11 minutes as Alex Cruickshank collected the ball in midfield, playing out wide on the right to Aaron Ramos-Gonzalez before continuing his run forward passed the stationary midfielder. The ball was played back to Alex Cruickshank who played the ball through the Leiston defence into the path of Jeff Hammond. He raced through on goal, rounding Shaun Phillips and slotting the ball home to give the home side the lead.

The lead lasted only six minutes as Grays failed to defend a set piece. A long throw in from the left was directed to the front post, where the ball was flicked on by an attacker into the path of Joe Jefford on the six yard box to tap into the net to draw Leiston level.

The away side almost took the lead in the 25th minute as a loose ball broke free in the Grays defence allowing Leon Ottley-Googh through on goal. His shot was blocked by George Kamurasi before the rebound was fired wide by Joe Francis.

Grays were forced into a substitution just after the half hour mark as Jeff Hammond picked up an injury following a robust challenge by Adam Tann, earning him a yellow card. Usama Hamdan was brought on to replace Jeff Hammond.

With the game heading towards half time it looked as if both sides would go in level at the break. That was until Leon Lalite picked up a loose ball in midfield, skipped past a Leiston player a drove a shot from 25 yards into the top corner of the net with only 4 minutes of the half remaining.

There was still enough time for Leiston to cause panic in the Grays defence again as a long ball forward found the head of Joe Francis. His looping header was pushed onto the bar by George Kamurasi before a Grays defender came across to clear the loose ball.

Grays came close to extending their lead within two minutes of the restart as Usama Hamdan found space down the left wing before cutting into the penalty area and driving a low shot towards goal. Shaun Philips was down well to save and keep the score at 2-1.

The away side drew level again in the 54th minute as a corner from the left was played into the six yard box where both defenders and goalkeeper failed to deal with the cross and Joe Jefford was on hand for another simple finish for his sides and his second goal of the game.

Leiston came close to taking the lead for the first time in the match on 67 minutes as a curling free kick was whipped into the Grays box. The ball was flicked on at the near post and only a diving save from George Kamurasi denied the away side a third goal.

With the game heading into the final five minutes and the game ebbing and flowing, it was clear a fifth goal was coming, but to which side no-one was sure.

Fortunately for the home faithful, it came to Grays in the 86th minute. A long kick by George Kamurasi was flicked on expertly by Jack West into the path of Joao Carlos. He raced into the area, skipping passed defenders and goalkeeper to slot into the net before anyone had a chance to react.

Grays saw out the remainder of the game to go top of the league with Kingstonian and Dulwich Hamlet, although after only two games, there is a long way still to go.

Grays Athletic: George Kamurasi, Craig Pope, Junior Baker, Joe Nightingill, Lee Flynn, Aaron Ramos-Gonzalez, Leon Lalite, Alex Cruickshank, Joao Carlos, Jeff Hammond (Usama Hamdan 32), Jack West

Unused Subs: David East, Ryan Kirby, Phil Anderson, Brian Moses