Grays suffered a miserable Boxing Day when they slumped to a 1-0 Ryman League Premier Division defeat at third from bottom Croydon, who ended a run of four successive defeats with this victory.

A 65th minute goal from Dominic Barclay means that Grays have now won just twice in six starts, but at least they were in good company by losing at the Surrey Club.

For Croydon were the last term to inflict defeat on Canvey, when they beat the tabletoppers at home on the first day of September.

Published Thursday December 27, 2001