GRAYS found themselves the victims of the annual relegation drama at the Marston's Arena on Saturday.

They proved themselves the better side, played the better football and created the better chances but still ended handing Vics the one opportunity they had to haul themselves out of the bottom four.

The Athletic defence had handled seemingly the best pressure Northwich could mount until the first minute of injury-time when Lee Steele sent in a cross from one side of the box to the other.

Adam Gross won the centre easily enough but put little power to his clearance and the ball dropped to the edge of the area and the inrushing Mike Carr crashed home a shot that did not give substitute goalkeeper Jake Whincup an earthly.

Whincup had replaced Nicky Eyre in 17 minutes when the keeper fell awkwardly on his right ankle and had to be stretchered off.

With Simon Downer faultless at the back and Aaron O'Connor the pick of the midfielders, Grays were much the sharper outfit in the first half. They should have been in front by the break, but Jeff Goulding wasted three good chances.

He made a poor connection to Stuart Thurgood's pass in the first minute and then fired over the top.

Four minutes later he fluffed his best chance.

Danny Kedwell and Scott Taylor wasted two further opportunities for Athletic, with the former having a goal ruled out for offside on 66 minutes before Taylor went for goal when a pass square was the better option.x Other results: Ebbsfleet United 2 Altrincham 0, Farsley Celtic 0 Forest Green 2, Halifax 0 Aldershot 0, Histon 2 Droylsden 0, Northwich 1 Grays Athletic 1, Rushden & Diamonds 0 Exeter 0, Salisbury 0 Cambridge Utd 2, Stafford Rangers 1 Crawley Town 3, Torquay 0 York 0, Weymouth 2 Kidderminster 1, Woking 1 Oxford Utd 2.