Baker grabs last-gasp winner

A last-gasp goal by Junior Baker gave Grays a 3-2 home victory over Romford and they moved back into second place in the table.

It was Romford’s first game in their home town since 2008, when they were forced to leave the Rush Green ground which Grays took over this year.

And it looked like being an unhappy return as they found themselves 2-0 down in ten minutes. Joao Carlos nodded in a deadly cross from Jared Small in the eighth minute and Harry Agombar’s deflected free-kick doubled the lead.

But Boro refused to cave in. They were unlucky not to pull a goal back before half-time when Lewis Francis struck the bar with a fierce drive, and they opened their account on the hour with a header from long-serving Paul Clayton.

They were awarded a penalty eight minutes later when keeper George Kamarusi upended substitute Kurt Smith (pictured by Gavin Ellis/TGS Photo) and, although Kamarusi saved Francis's kick, Ben Jones followed up to equalise.

Grays had Jeff Hammond sent off in the 83rd minute and seemed to raise their game as a result. Romford keeper Chris Clark pulled off a superb save from Kenny Beaney’s header in the 89th minute and apparently earned his side the draw which would have been a fair outcome for a rousing game.

But, a minute into added time, Agombar crossed low from the right and Baker raced in to apply the final touch.

Needham Market’s home jinx continued as they went down 3-2 to Soham. Despite winning six and drawing two of their 11 away matches, the Marketmen are still seeking their first victory on home territory where they have drawn five and lost five.

Rob Mason’s 15th league goal of the season put Soham ahead after 12 minutes and Buster Harradine added another on the half-hour.

A penalty by Danny Bloomfield immediately after half-time gave Needham hope and Ollie Fenn squared it 11 minutes later. But they could not complete the comeback and Michael Simpson won it for Soham with five minutes left.

Bottom club Ilford are also without a home win but a last-minute goal gave them a precious point from a 2-2 draw with tenants Waltham Forest.

Arian Retkoceri put the ‘visitors’ ahead in the fifth minute. George Lutaaya levelled matters shortly before half-time and it stayed that way until five minutes from the end, when Chris Taylor restored Forest’s lead.

Ilford kept going and Stefan Kilron grabbed the goal which means that they are now only a point adrift of Redbridge and Ware in the battle to stay up.