Ryman Div 1N: Romford 1 Grays Athletic 2

Romford could not prevent leaders Grays opening up a six-point gap at the top of the table at Ship Lane.

The visitors arrived on the back of a 12-game winning streak in league and cup competition, which had seen them leapfrog long-time leaders Maldon at the summit.

But Boro, with Ben Jones returning to their line-up after the departure of Tom Richardson to Thurrock late last week, took the lead in front of a bumper crowd of 277 on 17 minutes.

Kurt Smith picked out the run of Abs Seymour on the left and his cross to the far post found leading scorer Nick Reynolds to head home his 13th goal of the season.

Rush Green-based Grays were back on terms before the half-hour mark, though, when former Boro man Lee Flynn whipped in a free kick which Danny Bunce glanced on and Jamie Dicks deflected past Atu Ngoy and into his own net.

And the Blues edged in front early in the second half when Joao Carlos broke on the right and his cross found Bunce to poke home his 13th goal of the season from close range.

Lamar Johnson-Joseph saved well from Kurt Smith as Boro looked for a reply, while Seymour saw his free kick curl beyond three teammates.

But Brian Moses had the chance of a third for Grays late on, only to shoot straight at Ngoy.

Romford slipped back down to 13th in the table, following Cheshunt’s win at lowly Ware, while Grays extended their lead at the top as Maldon slipped to defeat at Witham.

Boro travel to Tilbury tomorrow (Monday) to take on a Dockers side who claimed a 2-1 win at Chatham thanks to a last-minute goal from Tom Wraight.

Grays, meanwhile, welcome promotion hopefuls Aveley to their Rush Green base.

Romford: Ngoy, Ottley, Oates (Toms 84), Barry, Dicks, Clayton, Sammut, Seymour, Reynolds, Jones, Smith (Duru 72).