Bromley manager Mark Goldberg was pleased his side remain in today’s FA Cup fourth qualifying round draw after being held to a goalless draw by Grays Athletic on Saturday.

The Lillywhites struggled to create chances in the first half against the Ryman Premier Division side before finding former Charlton keeper Connor Gough in inspired form in the second. 

Grays, who left their New Recreation Ground home in 2010 and now ground share with neighbouring Aveley FC, had chances of their own to win the tie. 

However, poor finishing from the home side’s Fredrick Ladapo, who had proved a tricky customer for Bromley, meant an upset was not to be on the cards. 

Goldberg was just relieved Bromley will get another chance to progress in the competition in tomorrow night’s Hayes Lane replay.

He admitted: “I’m pleased we’re still in the hat, it’s a difficult place to come.

“Overall it was scrappy, but it was always going to be a scrappy and difficult game away from home against a good side.

“We didn’t underestimate this team, we didn’t come here thinking that we had a divine right to just come here and sweep them aside.

“And that exactly how it turned out.”

The Mill Field playing surface, which was uneven in places, proved difficult for both sides and Goldberg felt it restricted his team’s usual fluency.

He added: “The pitch is a leveller for everybody and we couldn’t really get into the flow of our game in the way we normally feel comfortable to do.

“We like to get the ball out wide and get early crosses in but unfortunately it was very difficult for us to do that.”

The introduction of both Pierre Joseph-Dubois and Moses Ademola from the bench in the second half seemed briefly to spark some life into the Conference South visitors, as both players tested Gough in quick succession.

However, a winning goal could not be mustered.

“We had chances, the goalkeeper made some good saves for them,” said Goldberg. 

Bromley skipper Danny Waldren played as a centre-half throughout the game and did well to deal with a physical Grays front line.

And Goldberg thought his central midfield coped well without him.

He explained: “We kept a clean sheet and Danny did a splendid job back there.

“Ali Fuseini and Reece Prestedge were superb in the middle.

“All in all, we’re now pleased that we’re still in the draw.”

Tomorrow night’s replay at Hayes Lane kicks off at 7.45pm.

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