It is tempting to say Grays might have won this game with Michael Kightly and Aaron McLean in their ranks.
Certainly Andy King pointed to a miss by Justin Richards with the score at 2-2 early in the second half, but Lee Boylan's double strike should have given Blues at least a point.
The new boss was more concerned by his side's defensive frailties as they let slip a 1-0 lead before succumbing to a 77th-minute strike by substitute Chukki Eribenne.
The former Everton midfielder and Swindon manager said: "We started the game well but they scored too soon after we went in front and all three of their goals weren't good from our point of view.
"The turning point was the opportunity Justin Richards had to put us 3-2 up when he headed over from about four yards. Then we left the boy (Eribenne) one on one at the back, which was just criminal defending.
"Believe it or not, I'm far more happy in defeat this week than I was drawing with Altrincham. I thought we battled and played well in parts."
King picked the team for the first time and made two changes to the starting 11, Andy Sambrook and Tom Williamson replacing Adam Green and John Martin.
Ashley Bayes parried away a first-time shot by Wayne Purser, Ashley Vickers sent a snapshot over and Bayes did well to stop a flick by Terras captain Ben Smith as the home side started brightly.
The former Leyton Orient custodian made a more routine save to keep out Raphael Nade's header from a cross by Abdou El Kholti, who caused plenty of problems with some fine crosses from Weymouth's left.
So it came as something of a surprise when Boylan put Grays in front, heading Dennis Oli's cross past Jason Matthews as the home defence went missing after 16 minutes.
The Terras were level within two minutes, Richard Logan bundling home from close range when Bayes failed to cut out El Kholti's cross.
A dangerous corner by Stuart Thurgood was brilliantly cleared by Nade as Charlie Comyn-Platt threatened to pounce at the far post.
Bayes was penalised for picking up a back pass by Jamie Stuart, leading to a free-kick a yard from the by-line and four yards from the six-yard box. Simon Weatherstone took it and Vickers headed over at the far post.
Nade was back in the action in a more familiar role after 33 minutes.
The former Welling and Woking striker, on loan from Carlisle for the season, put Weymouth in front with a sweetly-struck volley when Jay Smith's attempted clearance dropped to him on the edge of the box.
Blues hit back four minutes later as a quickly-taken free-kick by Thurgood caught Weymouth napping, allowing the unmarked Boylan to double his account with a shot into the roof of the net.
Matthews thwarted the former Canvey goal-getter in first-half stoppage time and Richards squandered a great chance seven minutes after the break, heading over from close range when Smith's cross deserved better.
Bayes parried Nade's near-post shot and the busy keeper produced another fine save to keep out a deflected 35-yard free-kick by Weatherstone.
Eribenne burst through the middle and fired wide three minutes after coming on, but Grays failed to heed the warning signs and the one-time Bournemouth man turned match-winner on 77 minutes.
A long clearance by Weatherstone left Eribenne one on one with Smith, but the striker's pace and trickery created space and his accurate finish gave Bayes little chance.
Smith's torrid afternoon continued as he handled substitute Dean Howell's cross, only for Bayes to dive full length and push away Eribenne's penalty.
Weymouth boss Garry Hill said: "We showed a lot of character against a team who've been to FA Trophy finals and done well in the league.
"Overall I think we deserved to win and the three goals were as good as any since I've been down here.
"I'm a relieved man, the same as all our supporters because I know it's been hurting them in the last month.
"With that atmosphere in the changing room at the moment, you'd think we'd won the cup final. Everyone is hugging each other."
By Matthew James
Thanks to the Thurrock Gazette for the report.
|