Heybridge’s goal made them the first team in the league to reach the 100 mark but the defeat means that they are out of the play-off race after hitting a patch of poor form at just the wrong time.
Joao Carlos gave Grays the lead a minute before the interval and Luke Callander replied shortly after the restart, his 33rd league goal – seven more than anyone else in the three divisions. Grays went in front again in the 52nd minute through Jack West and that ended the scoring.
Witham moved back into fourth place with a 2-0 home win over Brentwood. Sam Taylor gave them the lead with an intended cross five minutes after the break and James Stevens made sure with the last kick of the match eight minutes into added time.
That result, coupled with Heybridge’s defeat, means that Witham and Aveley have booked the last two play-off spots.
Both will be away in the semi-finals, though who visits Maldon and who travels to Thamesmead will not be decided until Saturday.
There was nothing at stake at Ware but their match against Wroxham produced a feast of seven goals in its final quarter. It was midway through the second half before Leon Simpson gave Ware the lead.
Jamie Speller swiftly levelled it, only for Ricci Crace and Elliot King put Ware 3-1 up. Back came Wroxham through Ben Thompson but Simpson restored the two-goal gap and Matt Halliday’s reply in added time could not deny the hosts their 4-3 win.
Harlow were beaten 2-1 at Chatham, for whom Austin Gacheru and Alim Sesay scored in the first half. Josh Brimacombe-Wiard replied on the hour.
Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.
Subscribe