GRAYS Athletic manager Jody Brown said he saw a different side to his team after they ground out a 2-0 win against neighbours Billericay Town.

Athletic scored twice in the last ten minutes on Saturday to secure their first league points in a month, with substitute Dumebi Dumaka scoring the first before Joao Carlos added a second with moments to go.

Billericay had missed several guilt edged chances with the game goalless and Brown said taking the points was particularly satisfying considering their recent form.

“We were on a bad run and playing badly as well so it was always going to be a case of grinding out a result,” said Brown. “We were playing below what we expected of ourselves.

“I didn’t know if this team could grind out a result but we have shown we can. I thought heading into the last 20 minutes we had enough about us to get the points and so it proved.”

Athletic lost the opening day clash 2-0 at Billericay, in Brown’s managerial debut at the club, but he said his side have come a long way in the intervening three months.

“This was the first time we played a side we have already faced this season and I saw significant development from the opening game. It is a very different group from the team that played that day and I was impressed with how we went about our business.

“Our last performance against Tonbridge Angels (a 2-0 defeat) was the worst performance since I have been here but we have followed that up with this performance and result.

“We still have a way to go but I am confident we will reach our potential.”

Brown will take his Grays side to Margate on Saturday in the Ryman Premier League looking to build on the win over Billericay.