Blues made the long (for a midweek game) trip out to the Suffolk coast to play Lowestoft Town in heavy rain at Crown Meadow tonight. The playing conditions were poor and the rain persisted throughout the match but the pitch is a credit to the ground staff and it held up well in the conditions.

Lowestoft have suffered with injuries this season but tonight they saw a welcome return to Gleeson and Chris Henderson, always a menace for any defence.

The home side dominated possession early on and it did look like Craig Pope was going to be in for a long night up against a determined and resurgent Henderson. Grays tried to soak up pressure and look to counter with their pace up top which always looked like it would trouble Lowestoft.

Henderson was pacy, energetic and causing real problems down the left and a couple of telling crosses brought half chances for Lee Smith, the conditions probably robbing him of the half a yard that can make that difference in front of goal.

As the teams settled and Lowestoft found it increasingly difficult to unlock the Grays defence the game opened up and we had a decent game on our hands. Leon Lalite and Kenny Beaney were in a good battle in the middle of the park but unable to set up any incisive attacking play and it was Lowestoft who were looking most likely to open the scoring.

The Grays defence was certainly working the harder and with just three minutes of the half remaining Lowestoft scored the goal their attacking intent thoroughly deserved. A loose ball dropped to Gleeson near the corner flag, he laid the ball into Woods-Garness who flicked the ball back into the path of Lee Smith to side foot home from around 14 yards to ensure Lowestoft went in at the break with a precious lead.

Blues started the second period with more urgency and forced early corners as the home side started to show some rough edges under pressure and it was from a corner that Grays forced their way back into the match.

Lalite swung in a corner from the left. Craig Pope got his head in and deflected it onto Lowestoft defender Gaughan who had shaped to head it clear but could only glance it into his own net to the despair of 'keeper Jones.

Leon Lalite was playing more advanced in this half and he went close with a long-range effort. Blues were playing better going forward and it was Lowestoft who were now having to defend but at times they did look comfortable at the back despite the pace of Carlos, Hammond and Duru.

Grays thought they had deservedly taken the lead when a Lalite free-kick missed everyone and nestled in the Lowestoft net but the offside flag was up to the surprise of everyone except the officials and the goal was ruled out.

Lowestoft seemed to run out of the steam. They were not playing with the urgency that had given them control of the early stages of the game and with Smith and Fisk playing further up the pitch they became a little disorganised and Grays started to probe more, cause problems and get something of a grip on the game.

A flurry of cautions for players on both sides took some of the life out the game and as the clock ran down it looked like both sides would have to settle for the draw but a 90th minute penalty was the opening act in what would prove to be an intense and dramatic last few minutes of play.

Henderson was brought down by Pope and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Lamar Johnson saved the penalty from Lee Smith and with the defence slow to react Smith himself was able to force the ball home and give Lowestoft the lead and most likely the points.

As any of our supporters would attest one of the great qualities instilled in this Grays side is an ability to battle every minute of the match and try to get something out of nothing. Inevitably, Junior Baker was involved.

Deep into stoppage time Blues earned a corner. Lalite, excellent on the night, swung the ball in and Baker's header rattled the crossbar before dropping kindly for Jared Small who headed home to make it 2-2 to the delight of the brilliant travelling Blues supporters.

An even match, though Lowestoft had the lions share of the chances and, at times, the possession. Both sides tried to play football in terrible weather conditions and the draw was a fair result.