With top scorer Paul Linger absent, the chances of Billericay Town getting many goals at New Lodge on Saturday looked very slim indeed.

However, recent arrival Danny Boateng and the ever-impressive Joe Baker displayed superb finishing skills in this Ryman League Premier Division Essex derby as Billericay added to the relegation woes of the bottom club.

Grays battled well enough in front of a near 500-strong crowd, but it doesn't take an expert to predict that, already six points behind fourth from bottom Carshalton, they will be making a quick return to the First Division they came up from last season unless they can launch a quick recovery.

With skipper Rikky Hazel a strong influence in midfield, Grays certainly gave as good as they got in the opening stages, but had a 17th minute let-off when a header from Town's Lee Williams was cleared off the line by Danny Hazelden.

However, Grays were stunned when ex Leicester City man Boateng, in his third game, collected a ball from skipper Dean Parratt some 20 yards out and cracked a glorious 28th minute effort wide of the reach of the visiting side's ex Canvey goalkeeper Micky Desborough for his first Billericay goal.

For a couple of minutes Billericay took complete control, with defender Jeff Woolsey heading Baker's right-wing cross into Desborough's hands and the immensely skilful ex-Orient man himself chipping a delightful ball just off target when "Dessie" was off his line.

Almost inexplicably, and much to the annoyance of the home bench, Billericay - as so often in the past - let their opponents back into the game with a "soft" goal. Hazelden, who caused problems on both flanks, broke clear on the left and, when he crossed, striker Dominic Gentle was left unmarked at the far post to shoot home after 36 minutes.

Things could have been worse for Town three minutes later. Hazelden was by now foraging on the right and centred for Danny Wallace to head over the bar when he should really have hit the target.

Two minutes before the break Grays had a let-off when Parratt was desperately unlucky to see his rasping shot from 25 yards hit the inside of an upright and bounce to safety.

Billericay won with ease in the end - but were particularly grateful when goalkeeper Gavin King saved in superb style from Gentle, set-up by Alex Fiddes and Hazelden on the 53 minute mark, and this proved a turning point.

Grays were still enjoying their attacking moments and were annoyed when an assistant referee's flag stopped one raid on the home goal. It was a close offside decision, but one which saw Grays lose concentration for a vital few seconds.

That was all that was needed for a quick free-kick which saw Boateng send Baker clear for a run and shot which beat Desborough all ends up.

That came after 65 minutes and, five minutes later, the game was all over bar the shouting.

Justin Gentle, opposing his brother Dominic on the day, put substitute Simon Spencer away and the new arrival once again sent Baker clear, who this time scored in the opposite corner off Desborough's legs.

Apart from a late show of petulance from Grays' striker Wallace, which eventually earned him a booking, that completed the action and Billericay, as well as moving a few spots up the League table, will be hoping it will boost them for tomorrow's scheduled FA Umbro Trophy second round replay visit to Dr Martens League Eastern Section Hastings.

For that game midfielder Linger, who was out due to the bookings "totting-up" system, will be available to hopefully add to his ten-goal tally of the term and it has to be said that the arrival of Botang up front has been like a breath of fresh air for Billericay players and fans alike.

Tonight Billericay chairman Rod Moore and manager Gary Calder will be answering questions from fans at one of the club's regular open forums. It starts at New Lodge at 8pm.

Not this time - Justin Gentle loses out to a Grays' rival.

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

By Dick Marshall

Reporter's e-mail: dick.marshall@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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