The Magpies vying for a play-off place, and no doubt wanting to avenge the seven nil thrashing handed out back in October at The Avenue Stadium, together with the accolade of defeating the league leaders on their own turf had plenty of incentives to motivate them, and deservedly left the New Rec a point to the good.
Both sides were trying to play attractive football but were severely hampered by the weather conditions with the constant rain making the pitch extremely heavy and play difficult.
The first half started with the visitors controlling the play, but within ten minutes Grays whose starting line-up included Hooper, McLean and Battersby plus Jamie Stuart back from suspension, but missing Oli, Griffiths and Brennan, began to get into the game.
Blues first chance came in the 12th minute when John Nutter sent his 22 yard shot just wide of the upright, having been put through by the in form Battersby.
Three minutes later the Magpies could have opened the scoring had it not been for Grays’ keeper Ashley Bayes, who produced a superb finger tip save sending the ball bobbling along the top of the crossbar. Then Blues came close again when Cole’s precision cross found Battersby lurking at the far post, but the striker directed his header narrowly wide.
Play continued to be end to end, and on 22 minutes the Magpies had a golden opportunity. Mark Robinson connected with Matt Groves cross but again Bayes made a brilliant save.
Then it was again Blues turn, and they appeared to have broken the deadlock when Hooper converted from Cole’s corner, but although Referee Mr. Fay initially pointed to the centre circle he quickly changed his mind and the goal was disallowed for an infringement.
However, just after the half an hour mark Grays did take the lead. Magpies keeper Craig Bradshaw parried Battersby’s point blank range header from Martin’s diagonal cross, but the lose ball was eventually bundled over the line by the ex-Aldershot striker Aaron McLean. The unhappy Bradshaw then proceeded to remonstrate with one of his team mates.
Although Dorchester looked for an equalizer it was in fact Blues who came closest to scoring, when Martin’s low 25 yard drive hit the outside of the post, and then with six minutes of the first period remaining Grays made their first substitution replacing the injured Cole with Dean Brennan.
As a result of the pitch having deteriorated as the match progressed second half play was even more difficult than in the first. However, the visitors seemed to cope with the awful conditions better than Blues.
Play started relatively even, but Bayes was called into action in the 54 minute making an excellent double save from Grove’s efforts, and then two minutes later the opposition drew level. Joe Bruce, struggling on the muddy surface, failed to clear the ball leaving Groves to fire home.
Almost immediately Grays restored their lead when Skipper Stuart Thurgood, having been put through by Nutter, prodded the ball into the back of the net from close range for Blues second and his ninth of the season, whilst the Magpies appealed for offside.
Groves then looked to increase his tally, but saw his shot blocked by the Grays defence, and Joseba Barandiaran sent an acrobatic effort just over the bar.
On 65 minutes Grays made their second substitution replacing Bruce with Wes Daly, and Magpies Mark Jermyn snatched at his chance sending his shot over the bar.
On 73 minutes Alex Browne (or it could have been Anthony Griffin – bit of a problem with reading the numbers!!!) was very fortunate to escape with a booking, when as the last man he brought down Aaron McLean and the offence undoubtedly warranted a sending off.
Nothing of significance then happened until the visitors equalized in the 82nd minute when Brown got on the end of Gary Middleton’s long free kick, given for a foul on Justin Keeler, and played it on for Robinson whose 18 yard angled drive eluded Bayes.
The last few minutes of play were rather tense, but in the end both sides had to settle for a point which was a fair reflection of the match.
Report by Carol Dover
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the report.
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