Wembley 0

Grays 1

Lowly Wembley suffered their fourth consecutive home Ryman League Division One defeat against promotion hopefuls Grays Athletic on Saturday, leaving them perilously close to the relegation zone.

But the Lions, who included Luke Dokwray and Tommy Williams both returning to the side after mid-season exile, did not play at all badly and deserved at least a draw for their efforts.

With the end of season looming ominously, Wembley really need some points in the bag sooner rather than later to avoid the dreaded drop back into Division Two.

Overall there was very little to chose between the two sides, The Lions went closest to scoring during the opening stages with David Vincent and Williams being unable to latch on to telling passes from Mark Jenkins and Michael Roche respectively.

Then a strike by Tommy Millard from a Jason McKoy corner was deflected wide.

However, a brief spell of Grays pressure at the other end resulted in the only goal of the game being scored in the 31st minute.

Lions were unable to clear the danger after the flying Kevin Beckles had superbly tipped over Jamie Wallace's vicious strike, and the visitors eventually broke free for Joseph Obegbami to send his half volley into the net

In the second half the Lions dug deep into their resources and attempted to make a spirited comeback, but good fortune was not on their side.

The unmarked Millard headed wide following another Adam McKoy corne, Williams and Vincent fractionally missed the target with curling efforts and Roach squandered their best chance of the game from close range.

The Lions knew it was not to be their day when 10 minutes from time, Leon Latty fastening onto a Vincent centre saw his well struck drive saved at point blank range by the keeper.

The equaliser Wembley so richly deserved failed to materialise and the defeat leaves them perilously perched on the relegation trapdoor.

Relegation threatened Wembley really must pick up a point if not three on Saturday when they travel to bottom club Thame United in a match that will be worth six points in the battle to avoid the drop

WEMBLEY: Beckles, McKoy, Dockwray, Walters, Scott, Millard, Jenkins, Roche, Vincent, Williams, Latty (Sardi 86). Subs: Dee, Kirwan

It was a pointless day all round for Lions as their Reserves went down 2-0 away to near-neighbours Uxbridge.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.