Grays Athletic 1–1 Leiston

From Mill Field

Ryman Premier League

 

A LAST gasp free-kick from Leiston denied Grays Athletic a third straight win in the league.

It looked as though Blues were set to claim the three points after Dumebi Dumaka crashed home his ninth goal of an improving season.

Grays were also boosted by the return of fans favourite Glen Little, who has rejoined the club from Welling United following the sacking of former Blues boss Jody Brown.

Player/ manager Mark Bentley started the match following his involvement in last week’s fantastic 3-2 win over Hampton & Richmond Borough, in which Bentley scored and went in goal to save a penalty, after keeper Conor Gough had been sent-off.

Grays scored a last-minute winner that day but were undone against Leiston, as defender Stuart Boardley fired home a superb late equaliser from a free-kick.

Grays started well and neat work from Akwasi Marfo almost let in Dumaka early on, only for his shot to drop over the crossbar.

Full-back Aaron Best-Riley saw an effort clip the frame of the goal before Dumaka forced Danny Gay into a fine save.

Grays got the goal their play deserved after 15 minutes, when Dumaka volleyed James Stevens’ corner home at the far post.

Marfo saw an effort saved by Gay before Patrick Brothers tested Gough, with Josh Mayhew coming close soon after.

Leiston cranked up the pressure after the break, without creating any clear-cut opportunities, although Best-Riley did shoot just wide for the hosts.

Gough denied Brothers once again before the late blow came, with Boardley’s free-kick flying over Gough after it was caught by a fierce gust of wind.

 

Grays Athletic: Gough, Best-Riley, Marfo (Wilson), Morrison-Derbyshire, Parry, Stevens, Davidson (Nouble), Beaney, Dumaka, Bentley (Ferguson), Carlos