GRAYS Athletic's faint hopes of edging into the Blue Square play-offs were extinguished at Weymouth last night in a keenly contested, enjoyable 1-1 draw from which both sides deserved to take something.

Grays came out of the traps at a fair pace and forced Weymouth backwards in the opening stages, coming closest when Aaron O'Connor delivered a superb ball into a crowded box but no one in a Grays shirt was able to get the vital touch.

Weymouth settled to their task and Grays were fortunate on five minutes when Stuart Beavon had a strike at goal that bounced off the woodwork.

Beavon was to become an increasingly influential figure in the half as Weymouth exerted some authority on the play, but Grays weathered the pressure and on the half-hour mark began to show their own attacking prowess.

O'Connor ought to have done better but capped a fine inside run with a shot straight at keeper Stephen Henderson on 31 minutes.

However, two minutes later he played a part in the opening goal, laying the ball to Jamie Taylor who took it on and left two defenders trailing in his wake before slotting the ball home.

Weymouth suffered a blow in the closing stages of the half when Henderson came to collect a ball and instigated a collision with Michael Malcolm who was unable to continue, being stretchered off and replaced by Trevor Challis.

Grays made a bright start to the second half and just two minutes had gone when O'Connor provided a fine pass to Kedwell but once again the shot was straight at Henderson who had to work much harder to keep out a Jamie Taylor shot soon after - this time after Kedwell had been the provider.

Having failed to take advantage of that early surge, Grays found themselves pegged back and the home side got back on level terms from the penalty spot on 58 minutes after Anton Robinson had been pulled back by Adam Gross.

It was a fair penalty and Simon Weatherstone placed it high and wide of Eyre.

There were limited chances after that, though Weymouth generally had the edge and in the closing stages it was something of a rearguard action for Grays, but as usual their resolute defence stood firm to earn the point.