Eastbourne Borough’s strikers drew another blank as a self-inflicted first-half goal gave Grays an unlikely victory.

A positive second-half display was full of huff and puff but lacked a real cutting edge as Borough only produced one real chance after an even first half.

Borough made two changes to the side which drew with Rushden on Saturday with Gary Elphick and Matt Smart coming in for their first starts of the season.

Both sides started the game in an erratic manner, conceding possession frequently. The two defences looked on top and it took a moment of madness to break the deadlock in the 20th minute.

Grays left-back George Beavan, on loan from Luton, received a ball down the left and crossed low to the impressive Daniel Charge who fired across the face of goal. The ball fell to Dan Brown but instead of clearing, he chose to turn and was challenged by Richard Graham who fired home.

Eastbourne struggled to regain their composure but improved as the half wore on. Liam Enver-Marum fired their best chance over from 12 yards after good work from Jamie Taylor down the right.

In the second half Eastbourne dominated but could create little in the way of clearcut opportunities. They pressed and probed with Taylor again looking lively and their best chance of the second period fell to the diminutive frontman.

After being played through Taylor, returning to his former club, struck his shot well from an angle but Grays keeper Preston Edwards saved well.

For all their second half possession Eastbourne lacked any real bite, something manager Garry Wilson will be keen to address for the game at home to Barrow on Saturday.

After Simon Weatherstone’s injury-time drive flew just over, the final whistle condemned Borough to defeat in a game they could so easily have won.

Grays Athletic: Edwards, Davis, Hoyte, Mawer, Beavan, Graham, Terry (sub Harvey 61), Bull, Braham-Barrett (sub Dos Santos 40), Charge, Slabber. Subs: Lumley, Cutler, Long.

Eastbourne Borough: Knowles, Austin, Elphick, Pullan, Brown, Armstrong, Weatherstone, Smart (sub Smith 71), Matt Crabb, Taylor, Enver-Marum (sub Atkin 71). Subs: Jordan, Baker, Johnson.

Referee: M Mclaughlin (Bedfordshire).

Attendance: 487.