The two sides met for the second time in four days and once again there was little to choose between them despite the disparity in league positions. With a strong wind at their backs Grays were happy to get the ball forward quickly to maximise the height advantage of their forwards, in contrast to VCD’s passing game which was proving effective and when Leigh Bremner was put clear, he drifted past Mark Bentley, with his cross carrying on the wind and nearly deceiving keeper Lamar Johnson at his far post. Play was end to end with Joao Carlos getting into the box where he was denied by Sevdar Bokciu’s block which turned the ball behind, and then Kenny Beaney tried a speculative shot that was comfortably saved by keeper Nick Blue. Sean Roberts tested Johnson from Grant Basey’s free kick, and although Grays were looking dangerous in attack their shooting was often wayward causing little trouble. Harry Agonbar had two chances in quick succession but should have done better when well placed before, as the end was drawing to a close, the Vickers had two chances to go ahead. Beaney gave the ball away in midfield with James Duckworth getting clear of the home defence, but as Johnson came off his line his curling effort drifted just wide of a post, then Bremner got past Louis Morrison before chipping the ball in to Duckworth, who chested it down before sending in a low drive that Johnson saved low down.
VCD attacked from the restart with Bremner and Duckworth combining to set up Sean Roberts but his snap-shot was deflected over, and then from a short corner Duckworth sent a ball in which had Johnson flapping, but Nick Reeves was unable to keep the loose ball on target. The visitors were stunned minutes later when they twice lost the ball in midfield and GB Dumaka claimed the ball and threaded a neat pass through the VCD defence, where Corey Davidson strode on to slot the ball past the advancing Nick Blue. Both sides then attacked, Grays to settle the game and VCD to level matters and Bremner, who had been a danger all afternoon, fired in a low shot that Johnson spilled before the ball was hacked clear, and at the other end Morrison curled a free kick to the far post which was met on the volley by Jay Leader, but Blue was his equal with a fine block with his legs. It was hard to call the game but the Vickers were looking dangerous with their neat passing putting pressure on the home defence and with twenty minutes remaining they claimed a deserved equaliser. Elliott Cox’s long throw was headed behind and from the resulting corner James Duckworth whipped the ball in with pace, and Leigh Bremner stole in to send a header past Johnson into the back of the net. Bremner almost made it a double when Michael Power sent him clear and he cut inside Manny Parry drawing a fine low save from Johnson, while at the other end, following a goalmouth scramble, Grant Basey saved an almost certain goal with a block tackle six yards out. Probably a fair result, but over the two games the Vickers had done enough to deserve better reward.

VCD Athletic: Blue, Cox, Bokciu, Reeves, Basey, Dawson, Roberts, Dent, Bremner,
Azeez (Power 59), Duckworth

Substitutes not used: Powell, McDonagh, Penfold, Ajose

Attendance: 146