Wednesday's Ryman Premier action review

Grays Athletic missed the opportunity to move into the Ryman Premier's top five when they were beaten 2-1 at Mill Field by Canvey Island on Wednesday night, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

It had started well enough for the hosts when Joao Carlos gave them an 11th minute lead. But Canvey managed to level the scores right on the stroke of half-time when Kevin Dobinson got hold of a punch-out by Grays `keeper Conor Gough and fired home from 20 yards.

As all strikers do, John Sands tried to claim the final touch for the leveller and he was definitely the scorer of their second goal four minutes into the second half when he beat Gough after a long ball from Dobinson. Grays almost grabbed an equaliser in injury-time but visiting `keeper Tim Brown pulled off a fine save from a header by sub Chris Bryan.

Wednesday`s other game saw Sussex rivals Lewes and Peacehaven & Telscombe share a thrilling 2-2 Dripping Pan draw.

A crowd of just under 500 watched a game between two sides who only six years back were some five divisions apart when Lewes were members of the Conference Premier and Peacehaven were still in the Sussex County League.

But it was the visitors who went ahead after 15 minutes through Josh Jones but the Rooks were back on level terms seven minutes before half-time when a cross-shot was turned into his own net by debutant Tommy Fraser. Joe Gatting, Fraser`s former Brighton team-mate who was also making his Peacehaven debut, beat Rikki Banks in the Lewes goal after that but his effort hit the post.

On 68 minutes the visitors did retake the lead when Tom Lawley rolled the ball home and that looked like being the winner until, in the opening seconds of time added on, Ollie Rowe grabbed a point for the Rooks with a firm header from a corner.