Grays get first win for Wayne

The visitors dominated for virtually all of the first half until, in the 44th minute, Blues netted after a rapier-like counter-attack.

The second period was a more evenly-contested affair but a horrible blunder by Oxford stopper Billy Turley wrapped up Blues’ victory.

A loss would have left Grays a long way from Conference safety, but Burnett and his team and can now go into Tuesday’s FA Cup First Round replay against Carlisle, at the New Rec on Tuesday, confident of an upset.

Burnett said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I can go home and have a good weekend now, rather than one where I am lying awake trying to work out how we are going to get that win.

“We weren’t great in the first half. We were a little bit nervous. I think everyone realised that. But we came out in the second half and looked a lot better. I’m pleased for everyone.”

The hosts' defence, in particular, looked nervy early on. Damien Batt and Gavin Dayes were both guilty of giving possession away in dangerous areas and were lucky not to have been punished.

On both occasions, Oxford’s Sam Deering failed to make the most of the gifts presented to his side.

Despite Grays’ evident vulnerability, the visitors struggled to carve out too many opportunities of their own making until a flurry arrived within minutes of each other.

Phil Trainer headed embarrassingly over from six yards, after a huge throw from Matt Day caused yet more consternation in the Grays back line.

James Constable then saw his shot deflected over the bar and, from the ensuing kick, Barry Quinn powered a header over.

Grays did offer a sporadic threat going forward.

Ishmael Welsh and new recruit Andre McCollin both showed they had the pace to cause the Oxford defenders problems and served notice of things to come.

Blues stopper David Button was called upon to make a fine save to deny Constable after a fine long ball from Deering following a Grays corner.

But, just as it seemed only a matter of time before the visitors broke the deadlock, Grays struck on the counter attack.

McCollin collected the ball on the halfway line, wide on the left, and put on the afterburners.

He breezed past two Oxford defenders to get the byline, where he pulled the ball back for Scott Forrester to slot the ball home.

The early stages of the second half suggested more of the same. Oxford pressed forward and, within 60 seconds, Button was called upon to thwart Constable from 10 yards.

But Grays began to get their passing game going. Barry Cogan was making his presence felt in midfield and Welsh was proving a real menace on the left flank.

Indeed, Welsh almost created a carbon copy of the opening goal when he raced to the byline and pulled the ball back to Forrester, who appeared caught on his heels and could only stab the ball straight at Billy Turley.

But for all Grays’ improvement, they still looked vulnerable at the back.

Incredibly, substitute Jamie Guy was allowed to run through a gap the size of the Grand Canyon to go clear through on goal only for Button to deny him with a fantastic, sprawling save.

At the other end, Turley made an equally good save to deny Barry Cogan who latched on to a cute ball from Jamie Slabber, making his first appearance since his return to the club.

But Turley blotted his copybook emabarrasingly to hand Grays the three points.

Welsh again caused havoc in the Oxford defence by racing to the byline and pulling the ball back for Sloma.

Sloma’s shot looped innocuously up in the air but, with most of the players turned away, Turley dropped the ball into the back of the net and gifted Blues a precious three points.

Grays: David Button; Rob Gier, Jamie Stuart, Gavin Dayes (Dean Ashton 59), Damien Batt, Barry Cogan , Stefan Bailey (Stuart Elliott 92), Sam Sloma 7, Ishmael Welsh, Andre McCollin, Scott Forrester (Jamie Slabber 78). Subs not used: Steve Arnold, Kenny Davis.