GRAYS Athletic moved into the semi-finals of the Ryman League Cup with a late win over 10-man AFC Sudbury.

Mark Bentley's side were too good for the Ryman One North outfit, winning 3-0 thanks to a fine second half performance in which Akwasi Marfo, Dumebi Dumaka and captain Kenny Beaney all found the net.

Blues started the livelier of the two sides and came closest to breaking the deadlock in the opening exchanges, when Dumaka saw an effort bounce off the crossbar.

Marfo came close before the hosts almost forced the first goal, as Scott Kemp saw an effort kept out on the goal-line.

But the flash point came with five minutes of the half remaining, when Lawrence Yiga was sent off after get embroiled in a tangle with Blues goalkeeper Lamar Johnson.

Johnson avoided punishment, to the home fans amazement, and Grays stepped up their game after the break.

It wasn't until 69 minutes that the deadlock was broken, with Marfo scrambling the ball home after a goalmouth scramble.

Dumaka and Joao Carlos came close before the former did double the advantage, firing home after breaking past the last defender.

Beaney added gloss to the scoreline with a freekick in the dying moments.

Grays join Margate in the last four, with the two other quarter-finals yet to be played.

Grays Athletic: Johnson, Best-Riley, Siva, Leader, Ferguson, Morrison-Derbyshire, Wilson, Beaney, Dumaka, Marfo, Carlos

 

*In Ryman One North, Tilbury secured a goalless draw with Ware to maintain their recent good form