A contest between two out-of-form sides ended in misery for Boreham Wood.

With chairman Danny Hunter eager to try out his young proteges in a mid-table Wood side in preparation for next season, he may now have to rethink this strategy.

Both teams took to the field lacking self-belief, but Wood dominated possession in the first half.

Grays were dire, unable to produce any link play of note and nervously conceding possession on numerous occasions. Wood showed a distinct inability to cause any real problems in the opposition's penalty area, which they almost camped out in for a large part of the first 45 minutes.

They relied on set pieces to trouble the packed Grays defence, with Jude Stirling's long throw-ins and corners producing only one real threat. On 17 minutes Scott Honeyball squarely headed a Stirling throw goalwards, forcing keeper Capleton to tip over acrobatically.

Wood captain Gary Wotton did magnificently to take the ball from a rare dangerous run into the Wood penalty area, almost setting up Dixon at the other end in the process. The second half commenced with Boreham Wood winning a string of corners, totally dominating the midfield through Stirling, Leon Bell and Corey Browne.

A taste of what was to come occurred in the 54th minute, when Essandoh beat the offside trap to send a low shot across goal, beating both Noel Imber and the far post. Then player-manager Mark Stimson saw his 30-yard effort well held by Imber.

The visitors took the lead on 68 minutes. Stimson sent through Essandoh, whose placed shot from just eight yards was pummelled away by the agile Imber. The ball was sent straight back into the danger area by Miller, and Carl Leaburn met the cross with an unstoppable diving header.

Grays began to play football. Imber was forced to save from Essandoh, whilst good work from Nick Grime and Scott Forrester on the right flank allowed Mark Preston a low drive, which was deflected, testing Capleton.

With three minutes remaining, Grays again sprung the offside trap, with Essandoh rising above the Wood defence to head down into the path of Miller, who simply could not miss from close range.

This performance sends Boreham Wood back into a relegation dog fight, and with the Nationwide Conference keen to add the cream of the Premier feeder leagues to their set-up as soon as possible, now is not a good time to be looking over your shoulder..