GRAYS Athletic face a midweek trip across the River Thames after a lacklustre 1-1 draw at home to Herne Bay in the FA Trophy.

Joao Carlos hit an 80th minute penalty to level the scores after a first-half tactical experiment backfired for Blues.

After two heavy home defeats in a row, the first to AFC Hornchurch a fortnight ago and the second to Daventry Town in the FA Cup on Wednesday night, Junior Baker was dropped as Ryan Kirby opted to play a 3-4-4 formation.

Phil Anderson, David East and Joe Nightingill formed a shaky looking back three, as Lee Flynn and Craig Pope played as wing backs. Popular centre-half Junior Baker – left out of the squad entirely - was a notable absentee But in a lethargic first half at a soggy Mill Field, Herne Bay – who sit 13th in the Ryman Division One South league – picked, probed and stretched their hosts.

Blues started the brighter, as Flynn tested Jack Delo’s handling, but the visitors grew stronger.

After 18 minutes, Jamie O’Connell had Bay in front. Dean Grant’s first attempt at a cross was blocked by Nightingill, but his second effort was skillfully guided home by the head of the Bay number nine. Lamar Johnson could only watch as the ball drifted past him into the net.

Blues came close to an equaliser before half time as an unmarked Jack West met Flynn’s corner from the right, but the ball skimmed the top of the bar.

Before the second half began, Carlos came on for young Dan Gilchrist - whose intended role of linking play behind the two strikers failed to work – and Alex Cruickshank came on for Nightingill. Immediately Blues looked more balanced and had Herne Bay on the back foot for most of the second period.

Carlos should have done better when the ball landed at his feet in the box, but his tame effort was easy for the under-worked Delo.

In the 80th minute, the Blues faithful - whose patience was gradually being tested – had something to cheer about. Carlos turned full back Mike Turner before firing a low cross into the box from the left.

The ball was half-cleared to Flynn who struck a low left-footed shot from 15 yards which unquestionably hit the hand of Connor Sanders in the box.

Carlos stepped up to dispatch the penalty.

In the final ten minutes, Blues cranked up the pressure but never really tested Delo. Stuart King, a second half substitute for Herne Bay went close on two occasions late on but a winner never materialised.

The two sides will meet in a replay on the south bank of the Thames to decide which progresses to the Second Qualifying Round. A date for the game is to be confirmed, but it is likely to be this Tuesday.

Grays Athletic: Johnson; Nightingill (Cruickshank), East, Anderson; Flynn, Pope, Beaney, Lalite; Gilchrist (Carlos); Hammond, West.

Subs not used: Greene, Maxwell, Ramos-Gonzalez.

Gazette MoM: Joao Carlos