GOALS from Sam Cross and Jack Fowler allowed Grays Athletic to claim a 2-2 draw at AFC Hornchurch.

Jamie Stuart's side made the short trip to the home of the Urchins having made a disappointing start to the campaign, while the hosts were at the Isthmian North summit at kick-off.

But Grays were able to claim a share of the spoils to end AFC Hornchurch's seven match winning run.

Grays enjoyed a period of early possession which resulted in an excellent chance as the dominant Ade Cole crossed invitingly for Kieran Bishop, who could only steer his glancing header marginally wide of the post.

Just minutes later, Grays took the lead. After Cole was fouled 22 yards out, Cross curled a beautifully struck free kick over the wall and into the top corner of the net.

The Urchins had clearly received a strong message from manager Jimmy McFarlane at the break as they improved drastically.

Despite Grays' resistance, the home side equalised just before the hour mark after an in-swinging cross from Jay Porter was met by the head of former Grays striker Leon McKenzie.

His unchallenged header from 10 yards out hit the inside of the post and found its way into Lamar Johnson’s goal.

With just a quarter of an hour to be played, AFC Hornchurch took the lead for the first time.

A long free kick from goalkeeper Sam Mott was headed on in midfield, splitting the two Grays centre halves and falling to striker Theo Fairweather-Johnson.

The substitute found himself through one-on-one and slotted a neat finish past Johnson and into the bottom corner.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, a foul was committed on Cole. Callum Thompson, a 16-year-old substitute, delivered an impressive ball towards the back post where Fowler rose above his marker and fired a towering header across the goalkeeper and into the net.

As a result, a gripping final 10 minutes were to follow.

Grays had the best chance to pull off what would have been the biggest shock of the season so far.

A pacy break from a corner found Kai Brown and Bishop running at just two Urchins defenders.

After a neat one-two, Brown found himself in space just 12 yards out but the winger could only fire over the crossbar.

A final chance for AFC Hornchurch saw substitute Matthias Fanimo cutting in from his left wing position and firing a fierce right-footed shot goalwards, but Johnson was equal to the former West Ham United trainee's effort and Grays could return to Parkside with a share of the spoils.

Grays Athletic: Johnson, Mahal, Cross, Fowler, Dunn, Muguo, Brown, Cole, Bishop, Zuhdu (Slabber 77'), Carlos (Thompson 66')