FA TROPHY: GRAYS were sent crashing out of the Trophy with a dismal display in Bury.

Ryan Kirby’s Ryman Premier side – whose form has been indifferent of late – were pummelled 5-1 against Bury Town, denying them a place in the first round proper.

After going behind in the third minute to a Billy Clark penalty – given after a handball in the Grays box – Joao Carlos drew the visitors level in the 25th minute. Blues top-goalscorer slid the ball home from close range.

Minutes later, Jeff Hammond squandered a great chance to put Grays in front after intercepting a back pass.

But with half-time approaching, imperious defender Adam Bailey-Dennis was on hand to put Bury back in front, heading home Clark’s free-kick.

Grays never got going after the break and conceded a further three goals. Clark had a brace in the bag seven minutes after the restart, when he pounced on a poor first touch from Ian Gayle before dispatching the ball past Lamar Johnson.

In the 60th minute, Bury forward Ryan Semple hit a 25-yard strike to put the hosts three clear, before Shaney Tolley headed home a Jordan Patrick cross to make it 5-1.

On Tuesday night, Grays took on Tilbury in the Essex Senior Cup at Chadfields. To find out how the Thurrock derby played out, visit www.thurrockgazette.co.uk Grays Athletic (4-5-1): Johnson; Pope, Flynn, Anderson, Gayle; Osman, Lalite, Cruickshank, Fry, Carlos; Hammond.

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