Aaron O'Connor's 25th minute strike was enough to secure Grays their fourth Blue Square Premier League win on the bounce as their season continues to flourish.
Playing in their away strip (the kit man left the home strip in the laundry) Grays picked up from their last two successful visits on the road.
The 4-3-3 formation mean Grays were closing down space and giving struggling Farsley, who have only won one of their last nine, very little room to breathe.
They were not going to get any change out of the best defence in the league. One of the main reasons is Jon Ashton's continued calming presence.
In the second minute he snuffed out a Farsley attack by a smooth dummy and drop of the shoulders before accurately distributing the ball away from danger.
There wasn't a lot wrong with Farsley's game but perhaps they give the opposition far too much respect. They allowed Grays time to shape their play when they really should have got stuck into them.
Grays carved out plenty of chances. In the ninth minute, Ernie Cooksey picked up on a loose ball following a corner and stroked the ball to O'Connor but his shot flew wide.
The left side started to open up. In the 14th minute Cooksey again passed to an unmarked Jack Obersteller marauding down the left side but his weak pass went out.
Soon after, O'Connor had another chance with a smart snap shot from close range going over.
Then some of Grays' passes started to go astray.
That prompted many in the crowd of 724, the second lowest in the league, started to express their displeasure as if they had forgotten that Grays had only lost one game in seven. Or perhaps they have a mindset which they simply can't shake.
A notable exception was "Sarah's crew" in the corner who sang their hearts out and were a credit to the club. It was noticeable that boss Justin Edinburgh pointed his team to them at the end of the game.
With some of the fans on their backs and a defence-minded opposition the Grays players realised that this was going to be a day of attrition.
Karl Murray, a growing professional presence, told his men to pick it up. Cooksey and Jamie Day found it hard to get into the game and Grays' three man attack was neatly shepherded by an outstanding Amjad Iqbal.
By the 25th minute Grays realised that they had to push through the gears and began to dominate the territory and possession.
In the 28th minute O'Connor found room on the left of the area and his precise shot hit the post. The ball came out to Day on the edge of the area and he struck it sweetly and it rattled the cross bar.
The breakthrough came in the 35th minute. Jamie Day sent over a corner and the Farsley defenders just looked at the ball as it sailed over them and into the path of O'Connor who sent it into the back of the net.
Optimists would point to the fact that Grays have never lost a lead this season and they saw out the rest of the half although they did let Farsley back into it but the overall level of defending was impressive.
It isn't just about obvious things. In the 45th minute a cross field ball from Farsley's Billy was deftly headed back to Ross Flitney by the dependable Jamie Stuart. It wasn't flash, it was subtle but it indicates why they are the best defence in the league.
Farsley came out of the blocks in the second half believing they could get something out of this game and had a fair shout for a penalty.
In the 47th minute, James Knowles controlled the ball in a packed penalty area but Ashton was all over him. However, Farsley's emphatic cries for a penalty were dismissed by referee Ian Scarr.
Grays should have sealed victory in the 53rd minute as the once again impressive Danny Kedwell put O'Connor through but keeper Tom Morgan got his finger tips to the ball to turn it wide.
It was heartening to see Stuart Thurgood return from injury as he came on for Day. He looked quite tentative and may need quite a few run outs before he resumes his place in the heart of midfield.
In the 67th Kedwell twisted and turned in the box but his shot went wide.
Gavin Grant replaced Ben Watson but the effervescent performances against Northwich and Lewes seem to have been replaced by a diffident player whose first touch was poor and gave a way too much vital possession.
Farsley were not out of it. They had a string of corners in the last ten minutes but somehow they never looked likely to convert this into goals.
Grays were able to see out the game and climb into ninth place.
Manager Justin Edinburgh was in two minds about the winning performance against Farsley - but he had strong words for a section of the club's supporters.
He said: "This was a workmanlike performance today but it is another three points. I am very pleased at our progress.
"We are a young team, learning our craft and have come out of a slump and played with great character."
Edinburgh then made a heartfelt appeal to the crowd. He said: "I hope people know me as an honest, plain-talking manager but I am really disappointed with the support.
"It just really got to me today. Apart from a group of fans in the corner there was hardly any support for the team. These players are giving everything for the club and they need to be supported."
Edinburgh has a point. The atmosphere wasn't as funereal as Lewes but it was extremely flat. The players and staff have clearly worked their socks off since the dark night against Weymouth to turn their season around.
This is no criticism against the travelling fans. The loyal dozen who made the 450 mile round trip to Halifax, the hardy hundred who cheered on their team against Woking and Salisbury are a credit to their club.
The bond between those fans and the club is strong but the fans and indeed the borough need to come to the party if Grays Athletic are going to flourish as a football team in the Blue Square.
By Michael Casey
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the match report
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