Grays Athletic

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Eastbourne 2-1 Grays

Grays Athletic find themselves hovering dangerously close to the drop zone after slumping to a 2-1 defeat at the hands Eastbourne Borough at Priory Lane on Monday afternoon.

Blues forward Andy Pugh did his side no favours by picking up a red card with ten minutes left on the clock, effectively ending their chances of drawing level before the final whistle.

The visitors were forced into making an early change as goalkeeper Steve Arnold picked up an injury after just four minutes of play.

He was subsequently replaced by Rob Beckwith, who was soon thrust into action as the hosts looked to make an early breakthrough.

The Sports claimed the lead nine minutes later when Jack Jeffrey's shot was blocked by Beckwith and Jay Lovett collected the rebound and fired into an unguarded net.

Pugh saw his header crash against the crossbar after an inviting cross by Jamie Taylor, while midfielder Barry Cogan's 27th minute free-kick went just wide of the right-hand post.

Grays got the breakthrough they were looking for just before the half-time break when Taylor put in another good cross and Tommy Black powered home a header to make it 1-1.

Eastbourne piled on the pressure after the interval and were awarded a penalty in the 50th minute when defender Fabian Wilnis was adjudged to have fouled Allan Tait in the box.

Paul Armstrong stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to net his second penalty in two games and give his side the lead.

Boro had another penalty appeal minutes later when Wilnis tripped Tait in the box but the match officials were having none of it.

Grays were reduced to ten men with ten minutes left on the clock when Pugh was shown a straight red card for a dangerous and reckless challenge on Matt Crabb.

His departure left the Blues looking lean in attack and the hosts held on comfortably to claim all three points.

Eastbourne bookings: Lovett, Brown.

Grays bookings: Black.

Sent off: Pugh (80).

Ref: A Sainsbury (Wiltshire).

Att: 1,305.