Grays Athletic

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Julian Dicks

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Grays 1-2 Stevenage

Stevenage reaffirmed their title credentials with a last-gasp victory over basement club Grays Athletic at the New Recreation Ground on Tuesday.

Jamie Guy had given the Gravelmen an improbable lead just before the interval but the Blue Square leaders struck back through Michael Bostwick 20 minutes into the second half. And Julian Dicks's outfit were denied a point when Charlie Griffin popped up to head in the winner with just four minutes left on the clock.

It was Boro who came closest to opening the scoring on the 23-minute mark when Joel Byrom's shot forced Grays goalkeeper Glyn Garner into action. Then in the 33rd minute David Bridges almost handed Graham Westley's charges the lead but his header flashed wide of the upright.

The home team managed to repel Stevenage's attacks thereafter and launched their own foray in the 42nd minute through Guy, whose effort was first saved by Boro keeper Chris Day. But the rebound fell back to Guy and he buried the chance to make the half-time score 1-0 in favour of Grays.

Dicks's outfit maintained their impressive work-rate as the second period got underway and nearly doubled their advantage just past the hour mark when Tom Harvey fired over the crossbar from Richard Graham's corner.

But just a couple of minutes later Stevenage made their hosts pay for this profligacy when Bostwick headed in from close range from Andrew Drury's inswinging corner to level matters.

Dicks made a positive substitution in the 76th minute, introducing midfielder Jordan Wilson to replace defender Joseph Bayowa and with time running out, it seemed Grays had done enough to secure a well-earned point.

But Stevenage aren't top of the table for nothing and in the 86th minute, Chris Day floated a free-kick into the area that Griffin buried to make the score 2-1 to Boro.

The result sees Westley's side extend their lead at the summit to five points while last-placed Grays are now 13 points adrift of second-from-bottom Forest Green Rovers.

Grays bookings: Guy

Stevenage bookings: Roberts, Byrom

Att: 515

Ref: Stuart Burt