AN 85th minute header from striker Charlie Taylor saw Grays Athletic grab a vital point at the Broadfields Stadium.

With four changes from last saturday, Grays made a hesitant start and went a goal behind in the 5th minute when Glenn Wilson headed down to Jefferson Louis who given space and time in the box fired Crawley into the lead.

New skipper Adriano Rigolioso rallied his troops and Grays had some gilt edged chances to equalise but a lack of confidence saw them squander the lead.

In the 8th minute,Rigolioso slotted a ball through to striker Danny Charge’s but his shot hit the post. A minute later, Richard Graham shook off his markers and with the keeper to beat struck the ball straight at the Crawley keeper.

Much of Crawley’s attacks stemmed from man of the match Michael Malcolm whose invention and guile in midfeld contrasted with the inert and clueless Tom Harvery and Sam Cutler for Grays.

Striker Daniel Charge was full of energy and enthusiasm. In the 40th minute he broke down the left, curved his charge into the box and passed square to Glen Poole but his shot couldn’t find the target.

Crawley came out in the second half, determined to put the game beyond Grays and for the next fifteen minutes put the Blues under real pressure.

Michael Malcolm put in a fine cross from the left but it missed three Crawley players unmarked on the far post.

Grays rang the changes with utility player Kenny Davis bringing steel and direction to the midfield. After the hour, former star Glen Poole started to get much more possession In the 65th minute, his crafty free kick was neatly tipped over by Nick Jordan. In the 70th minute another deep probing corner by Poole was met with a weak header by Gavin Hoyte.

One feature of the game was the 25 free kicks but it could not be described as a dirty game however the whistle happy ref got to Grays Assistant Manager John Yems who was sent to the stand.

Grays made the tiring Crawley pay in the 82nd minute as sub Charlie Taylor latched onto a Glen Poole corner to take a vital away point.

Grays could have taken all three points with further chances for Charge but the team were delighted when the referee blew for time.

After the game, John Yems asked for patience for the team. He said: “There have been a lot of changes but things are settling now and come September, you will see the real Grays Athletic.

“I learnt a lot in my three years at Exeter and one of them was stability breeds success.”

Crawley (4-4-2) Jordan Forrest, Broadhurst , Wilson (Cogan 45), Rents, Malcolm , Pinault , Cook (Powell 79) , Hutchinson , Louis , Ademo, (Carruthers 72) Subs not used: Rayner, Killeen, Grays (4-5-1) Edwards , Mawer, Hoyte ,Gaughran , Beavan , Graham , Harvey (Davis 60) , Cutler 5(Slabber 74) Poole , Rigolioso (Taylor 65) Subs not used: Lumley, Braham-Barrett, Att: 846