Grays Athletic fell to a fourth defeat in five games with a narrow 2-1 defeat at home to Redbridge.
The Gravelmen were 2-0 down within the opening ten minutes and, despite a second half strike from Luke Hirst, were condemned to a second defeat in the space of four days.
First Half
It was a dismal start for Darren Manning's side at Chadfields with the visitors opening the scoring after just seven minutes.
A long kick forward from Connor Wheatley evaded everyone and was latched onto by James Barlow who made Athletic pay for their slopping defending, firing the ball beneath Danny Sambridge and in for his third goal of the campaign.
Things then went from bad to worse for Grays with Redbridge doubling their lead just two minutes later.
Soumen Nandi pinged in a cross towards Tyler Dolan at the far post whose towering header looped over Sambridge and into the far corner.
The Motormen continued to dominate proceedings and should've been 3-0 up within the opening quarter of an hour when Nandi danced his way in behind but took his shot too early and saw his chipped attempt dropping wide.
Ten minutes before the interval Sambridge had to be alert to prevent Grays from going further behind with the 31-year-old having to tip over a goalbound cross from Ronnie Winn.
It took Grays up until first half stoppage time to test Redbridge goalkeeper Wheatley.
Alex Moss stabbed the ball into the path of Hirst whose low shot from an acute angle had to be saved by the legs of Wheatley.
Half Time: Grays Athletic 0-2 Redbridge
Following an underwhelming first half, Grays came out in the second half a transformed side and within two minutes of the restart halved the deficit.
Former Redbridge winger Aron Gordon poked a pass through to Hirst who slid the ball beneath Wheatley and into the far corner. This being the 23-year-old's first goal in Grays colours since signing from Barking this summer.
This gave the home side the boost that they needed and three minutes later Wheatley was called upon to keep Redbridge in front.
Sid Walker snapped up possession well for Athletic in midfield and then teed up Elliott Sartorious to let fly from range, but Wheatley was equal to it parrying behind.
Grays continued to be on top but failed to really threaten an equaliser, a cross-cum-shot from George Cradock hitting the crossbar the closest they came, and Redbridge were able to hold on to record a second successive win.
Full Time: Grays Athletic 1-2 Redbridge
A second defeat in two games at Chadfields for Grays means they slip down to 14th in the Isthmian North standings with the rest of the division still to play on Saturday.
A first win on the road this term for Redbridge means the Motormen are into the top half and up to 10th - only outside the playoff places on goal difference.
By Nathan Williams
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