GRAYS Athletic were able to secure their second consecutive Isthmian North win as they saw off Bowers & Pitsea at Parkside.

Ade Cole netted what proved to be the only goal of the game soon after half-time.

Lewis Manor missed a superb chance inside the opening 10 minutes when a Johnny Ashman cross found the frontman unmarked at the heart of the Grays penalty area.

But Manor, who had been reinstated to the Bowers starting XI after coming on as a substitute at AFC Hornchurch last time out, could only direct his header wide of the target.

Jamie Dicks, who recently made the move to Bowers from Romford, then had an effort cleared off the line by Ade Cole as both sides struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.

Bowers goalkeeper Callum Chafer was in excellent form to stop Grays taking the lead.

Chafer expertly tipped Sam Cross’ free kick around the post when the ex-Bowers defender’s 25 yard effort looked destined for the corner of the net.

Cross got on the scoresheet in the 5-0 win over Ware on Saturday, and he was proving dangerous with some marauding runs forward from the Grays backline.

Martyn Stokes missed a golden opportunity for Bowers just before the break.

Manor put a dangerous cross into the home penalty area and, after the ball had bounced off Ashman, it fell to the Bowers captain.

But, in trying to rush the strike on goal, Martyn Stokes miscued his effort and missed the target.

Less than two minutes after the restart, Martyn Stokes was made to pay for that miss.

Cole turned well in the penalty area, before finding the far corner of the net for Grays.

Chafer then pulled off an outstanding save to deny Richard Halle doubling the home side’s lead.

The former Romford shot-stopper bravely dived at the feet of Cole after he had beaten two Bowers defenders moments later.

Martyn Stokes picked up an injury and – with Rob Small having already made all three subs – Bowers were forced to play more than the final 20 minutes with 10 men.

With time running out, Bowers pushed for an equaliser.

A David Knight corner resulted in pinball in the Grays penalty area, before Tony Stokes headed over.

And Grays were able to see the game out and secure all three points.

Grays Athletic: Johnson, Mahal, Cross, Cogan (Zuhdu 78’), Halle, Muguo, Folkes, Cole, Bishop, Monsheju (Ibe 82’), Carlos (Thompson 86’)