GRAYS Athletic secured a 4-3 FA Trophy preliminary round win over Norwich United at Parkside.

Both sides met having suffered poor starts to the Isthmian North campaign, with Grays and Norwich United in the bottom three.

But four first half goals resulted in Grays safely advancing in the competition.

Kieran Bishop netted a brace, while Stanley Muguo was also on target.

And Joao Carlos netted from the penalty spot to round off his 300th appearance for the club.

Liam Jackson, Adam Hipperson and Adam Probert’s efforts did not prove to be enough for the visitors.

Grays thought they had taken the lead inside seven minutes when Ade Cole found the back of the net. But the goal was ruled out as the central midfielder was adjudged to have been in an offside position after Kai Brown had won the initial header.

But just minutes later, Grays made their early dominance count.

Bishop chased down a long ball over the top of the Norwich United defence and indecisiveness from visiting goalkeeper Andy Wilton gave the striker the time he needed to tap the ball around the onrushing shot-stopper before slotting into an unguarded net.

But Norwich United drew level on 17 minutes following an impressive breakaway.

Brown could not find a Grays head in the penalty area and Jackson nodded the clearance down to Hipperson on the halfway line.

The frontman then played a good ball in behind, leaving Jackson to blast beyond Grays skipper Lamar Johnson.

However, Norwich United were not on level terms for long as Muguo found the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

Carlos then just missed the target after expertly bringing down a clearance from Johnson, while Cole cleared the crossbar with a volley following Carlos’ centre.

Grays put daylight between themselves and the visitors following a mistake by Norwich United captain Shaun Wones.

The central defender under-hit a backpass to Wilton, and Bishop rounded the goalkeeper once again before scoring.

And Grays were to notch their fourth before the break after Olumide Lapite handled and Carlos stepped up to convert from the penalty spot on his milestone appearance.

The home side continued to dominate after the break.

Substitute Glenn Poole missed a sitter as he was unselfishly passed the ball by Bishop, but the recent addition from Thurrock put his effort wide when well placed.

Poole then went close with a 20 yard strike which went inches wide of the target.

But Norwich United reduced the arrears with 15 minutes to play as Hipperson thundered a free kick into the top corner of the net.

And Probert, who proved to be a constant threat after coming on early, touched around the onrushing Johnson before poking into the empty net to result in a nervy final few minutes for Grays.

But they held on and will be hoping an impressive first half display will give them confidence heading into their upcoming Isthmian North fixtures.

Grays Athletic: Johnson, Mahal, Cross, Fowler, Dunn, Muguo, Brown, Cole (Slabber 69’), Bishop, Zuhdu (Poole 58’), Carlos (Thompson 46’)