Hendon slipped to a second consecutive defeat, this time at Grays Athletic, on Tuesday night. The evening was marred by the red card shown to Ricci Crace 17 minutes from time.

With Dean Brennan's loan period over, Dwayne Plummer came into the starting line-up. Andy Cook was fit enough to take a place on the bench.

The dank, wet evening made the Recreation Ground pitch slick. Hendon's players, in particular, had trouble keeping their feet, but this was a footwear problem, not a sign that there was danger.

In the 2nd minute, Dave King produced an excellent save as long-range shot from Steve Robinson came through a crowd of players.

Two minutes later, A free-kick from Scott Cousins seemed to be a little short, but Mark Cooper made something of it with a flick of his boot. The ball looped in the air, over Mel Capleton and hit the underside of the crossbar.

The rebound favoured Grays because the ball went about 2 yards from the goalline and Capleton and Eugene Ofori arrived almost simultaneously. Although Grays' players felt that Ofori had fouled the goalkeeper, the referee made it clear - correctly - that it was a loose ball and both players were entitled to go for it.

Grays - who are full-time - showed what daily training can do with players' fitness, because their long-ball game had Antony Howard, Marien Ifura and Cooper at full-stretch, trying to keep out the ever dangerous Freddie Eastwood and Leroy Griffiths. The side-effect was Iain Duncan and Cousins were forced into defensive roles.

Nonetheless, in the opening half hour, the game was both open and entertaining, with chance at both ends. Crace and Ofori both had good chances to score, but failed to hit the target. Gradually, however, Grays began to exert an iron grip on the game.

Apart from one break, in the 38th minute, which saw Ofori set up Crace, but a combination of Steve Robinson and Eddie Youds saw the ball passed back to Capleton just as Crace was about to shoot.

Grays had the idea that King was susceptible to long-range shots and the big goalkeeper showed his mettle with three good saves and impressive handling from a number of crosses. A number of other efforts sailed high and/or wide of the target.

Hendon will have been the happier team to hear the half-time whistle but, after the break, the siege became more intense. Even with Jon-Barrie Bates adding his battling qualities to the beleaguered rearguard, Hendon were hanging on.

Shots rained in from all angles and King was the busiest man on the pitch throwing himself across his goal to make a number of good saves and deal with some dangerous crosses. However, one rare foray into the Grays territory saw a goalbound shot blocked by Youds.

Something had to give, but the game's only goal was one that was entirely avoidable. After 57 minutes, a corner was curled in from the Grays right. A host of players leapt for the ball and it was tipped by the outstretched hand of Steve Forbes.

Freddie EASTWOOD, the Premeier Division's second-highest scorer, took the spot-kick and despatched it coolly into the bottom corner, leaving King without a chance.

Gradually, Hendon began to loosen the shackles. They didn't create a great deal, but at least there was hope of something. Those aspirations effectively came to an end after 72 minutes.

Crace chased a long ball downfield and seemed favourite to reach it, but Capleton was quickly off his line and got there first. The Hendon man was committed to the challenge and just caught the goalkeeper's foot. There was minimal contact, but the goalkeeper's triple somersault with double twist led to a chain-reaction.

Youds was first on the scene and he and Crace swapped punches. Soon a melee ensured, with the Grays fans cheering on their hero Griffiths as entered the fray. Referee Mr S Brock waited for the square dance to subside, spoke to both of his assistants, called over Crace and showed him a red card.

Hendon boss Dave Anderson asked the official after the game whether the card had been for the foul or the afters and was told it was for raising his hands. What was unbelievable that in the eyes of the 3 officials, Crace did so for no reason, or the retaliation of Grays players was entirely justified, because not one Grays player was even spoken to.

Two minutes later, Forbes chested down a throw-in from Duncan, but was shoved in the back by Daniel Lunan. Anywhere else, it would have been a free-kick. Inside the penalty area, well Mr Brock kept his whistle in his hand.

In the final 10 minutes, Pat Gavin, Cook and Martin Randall were introduced for Forbes, Plummer and Ofori but, a block from from Lee Williams apart, there were few alarms for the home team.

"We are going in the right direction," said Mr Anderson. "Grays are a full-time team and the extra training and resources showed it. I thought we battled exceptionally hard and if we hadn't conceded a stupid penalty, we could have got a draw."