JIM Cooper was left seething as Grays Athletic suffered a 2-1 defeat to Heybridge Swifts.

Grays took a first half lead thanks to an own goal from Daniel Walker, but second half efforts from Toib Adeyemi and Jack Adlington-Pile allowed Swifts to turn the game on its head.

And Grays boss Cooper was less than impressed with his side’s display.

“It was a very poor performance and six or maybe seven of the 14 who were involved for us were way off their game,” said Cooper, who was hoping to build on his first win in charge last time out.

“We’re not going to win games if we play like that and we were poor, if I’m being perfectly honest.

“The players are playing for their Grays futures and, in all honesty, they wouldn’t warrant a phone call at the end of the season if I was basing my decision just on that performance.”

Walker put through his own net with 17 minutes on the clock to give Grays the upper-hand.

However, Heybridge levelled matters six minutes after the interval thanks to Adeyemi’s calm finish.

Adlington-Pile’s superb free-kick allowed the hosts, who are managed by ex-Grays boss Julian Dicks, to seal all three points to aid their Isthmian North promotion hopes.

And Cooper questioned his side’s fitness levels.

“Heybridge were there for the taking after their poor run of form, but we couldn’t pass the ball five yards forward and we were off the pace,” added Cooper.

“Some of the boys aren’t fit enough and that’s difficult to address at this stage of the season.

“That is no-one else’s fault other than the players and I don’t think many of them are doing the work needed other than at training.”

Grays will be looking to bounce back to winning ways at Basildon United on Saturday.

And Cooper confirmed he will start young defender Robinson Wokoma after his fine cameo appearance from the bench.

“The one plus point was Robinson’s performance after coming on,” admitted Cooper.

“He is only 17 and he did well in defence.”