Norwich United will be hoping the old adage that luck evens itself out over the course of the season comes true after 10-man Grays Athletic were awarded a 49th penalty with no-one, other than the referee, quite sure why.
Kieran Bishop duly converting from the spot to put the home side back on level terms after Grays had lost centre-half Jack Fowler 10 minutes before the break when he brought down Liam Jackson just outside the box with the striker closing in on goal. The referee showed him a straight red and Adam Hipperson curled the free kick inside the near post.
Tim Henery twice looked likely to score as the Planters searched to regain the lead, a shot brought a fine save from Lamar Johnson and another shot went inches wide of the post.
Substitute Joao Carlos fired a shot inside the near post from the left in the 76th minute to knock the stuffing out of the visitors.
Grays Ath: Johnson, Folkes, Cross, Cogan (Bruce 39), Fowler, Muguo, Poole (Brown 46), Cole, Bishop, Slabber (Carlos 65), Halle. Unused subs: Zialor, Monsheju.
Norwich United: Wilton, Probert, Dade, Wones, Eastaugh, Watts, Applegate, Pollock (Oyeniran 70), Henery (Stewart 67), Jackson, Hipperson. Unused sub: Jones.
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