Grays Athletic

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Grays Athletic 0-0 Kettering

Grays Athletic managed to buck a three-match losing streak but still suffered relegation following their goalless draw at the New Recreation Ground on Saturday.

Kettering player-manager Lee Harper sprung a surprise by deploying himself between the sticks for the visitors and he made two vital saves from Alsseny Cissoko efforts.

Poppies defender James Jennings came close to scoring in the fifth minute but his well-struck set-piece was saved by Glyn Garner who pushed the shot onto the underside of his crossbar.

Senegalese forward Jean-Paul Marna found himself through on goal late on in the first half and it took a last-gasp challenge from Duran Reynolds to stop him from firing a shot at goal.

The Gravelmen pushed forward themselves just before the interval and their best attack resulted in Joseph Bayowa volleying his effort wide.

After the break both sides struggled to carve out clear-cut chances.

However, the match came alive in added time as Julian Dicks' men suddenly sought the winning goal that would have staved off the drop, albeit probably only until the next round of fixtures.

However, Bayowa's attempt was cleared off the line by Jordan Hadfield before Kettering's James Dance saw his shot fly wide of the target.

In the end the result confirmed Grays' relegation, but the draw did little for Harper and his side who are now seven points adrift of the play-off places.

Grays bookings: Bunce, Cissoko

Kettering bookings: None

Att: 287.

Ref: Simon Long