GRAYS ATHLETIC 2 LOWESTOFT TOWN 1

Lowestoft Town’s aversion to 3G pitches surfaced again on Saturday when their eight-match unbeaten run was brought to a halt by Grays Athletic.

Grays - fighting to regain a play off place - started quickly with Damani Hunter cutting inside and grazing the woodwork.

The tricky winger’s game soon ended though as he pulled up as he raced for the ball and had to be substituted after just eight minutes.

Athletic won a series of early corners and fully deserved to take the lead in the 18th minute.

Aron Gordon's corner saw Troy Osei-Bobie rise high above the static Lowestoft defence to head home.

Lowestoft were finding it difficult to put any moves together and Warren Burwood was by far the busier keeper.

After 30 minutes Lowestoft started to get a bit of momentum with Adam Hipperson stinging the keeper’s hands from 18 yards, while Jake Reed and Harry Knights went close with headers.

Lowestoft brought on Louis McIntosh for Robert Eagle at the start of the second half and they saw more of the ball without really threatening the home goal.

But that momentum faded and Grays seemed to have sealed their victory when they doubled their lead in the 77th minute.

The Lowestoft defence failed to clear a right wing corner and although Kyle Haylock blocked Roman Campbell’s header on the line Sam Bantick knocked the loose ball home

That goal finally spurred Lowestoft on and they pulled a goal back when Sam Johnson and Haylock worked their way into the area before the latter was fouled for Hipperson to convert from the spot.

Lowestoft pressed for an equaliser to no avail as Grays deservedly took the points.

LOWESTOFT: Burwood, Norman (sub Ruffles 73), Belmar (sub Harvey 81), Haylock, Cole, Knights, Johnson, Hinton, Reed, Eagle (sub McIntosh 46), Hipperson. Subs (not used): Nunn, Sherwood.