Harrow Borough 2-2 Grays Athletic
Marc Charles-Smith’s second half double rescued a point Harrow Borough at home to mid-table Grays on Saturday.
The former Staines striker made it five goals in as many games as the hosts fought back from 2-0 down to reach 49 points and almost certain safety.
Charles-Smith’s goals came after his former team-mate at Wheatsheaf Park, Leroy Griffiths, who had a less successful spell at Earlsmead earlier in the season, had got Grays off to a great start on 16 minutes.
Griffiths poked home Helge Orome’s cross after the winger was sent galloping down the flank by Joel Nouble’s excellent hold-up play and pass.
Despite conceding first, Boro’ had two decent chances, the first from wide player Victor Osobu who retrieved possession and then managed to fire a low, hard shot which went just wide of the far post.
The second came from defender Danny Leech who found himself unmarked from a corner, but could not direct his diving header on target.
Regardless of the many efforts Dave Anderson’s side had the breakthrough just did not come, with another effort this time from Charles-Smith who forced a save out of Blues keeper George Kamurasi.
Orome was then again at the heart of Grays’ attack, playing a superb through ball to teammate Nouble after great hold up play yet again.
The young striker battled hard to muscle off Michael Peacock and then slot the ball past Boro’ keeper James Shea at his near post to double the visitors’ lead.
The fight-back began eight minutes after the restart when referee Paul Howard awarded the home side a controversial penalty, due to Kamurasi appearing to come through the back of Charles-Smith, despite the huge protests from the away side that he was not touched. Controversial or not, Charles-Smith was not about to spurn the opportunity, stepping up to place his kick beautifully in the corner.
The home side kept up the pressure after pulling one back, this time with a Harold Odametey left footed half volley which just went over the crossbar.
However, it took a huge error by Jared Small to help Borough back on level terms.
The Blues substitute allowed the ball to roll out for what he thought would be a goal kick, but a corner was awarded and Charles-Smith punished the error by turning the delivery in at the near post.
The dying embers the game turned sour, with bad challenges becoming frequent.
One such foul on midfielder Rob Wolleaston was brushed aside by the referee and consequently led to a speedy counter attack by Grays, with Nouble again latching onto the ball in a one on one situation.
However, ex–Arsenal keeper Shea made himself big, meaning Borough’s second half rally earned a point.
