HARROW'S continued good form was put to the test on Saturday against third placed Grays Athletic, who reportedly are running as a full-time outfit.

Solid defending from Harrow ensured they went the same way as other top sides who have visited Earlsmead recently, sharing the points.

With the chilly wind at their backs, Harrow started strongly with Ross Fitzsimon's well directed corner kick finding the head of a marked Dean Marney inside the area but the ball sailed over.

Within a minute this was replicated but Marney was unmarked and again his header was too high. Fabio Valenti was next to pressure the visitors' defence, beating two defenders to shoot, but this was comfortably saved by Mel Capeleton in the Grays goal.

This sparked a spell of Grays attacks.

First, Wes Daley was allowed to move through on the right flank but his weak shot from 15 yards was safely gathered by Keita Karamoko. In their next move, orchestrated by the fiery Daley, the Grays attack swamped the Borough area but under pressure Steve Dogbe chested the ball down to Karamoko.

A Grays clearance allowed Ellis Remy to get the ball into the home penalty area but his vicious shot was blocked by Dean Marney and cleared.

Then Martin Carthy broke on the right flank took defenders Dogbe and Marney across from centre goal, but instead of passing across to a totally unmarked screaming Daley, shot left footed at a narrowed angle at the advancing Karamoko who went down to save comfortably.

Grays continued their offensive as fans' favourite Leroy Griffiths received the ball from Daley and forced into the corner flag area by Richard Goddard and Dogbe still managed to sweep the ball across goal to the waiting Remy, marked by Marney, but his hooked shot from 8 yards sailed over the bar.

Carthy and Danny Hayzelden both had chances to shoot at the home goal but block tackles by Marney and Goddard stopped the dangers.

Borough reacted and a pin point pass by Fitzsimon bisected the Grays defence and found Simon Underwood whose left foot smash from 15 yards was directed too close to Capleton.

The keeper was required shortly afterwards, when a Valenti free kick was headed towards goal by Marney, Capleton fumbled it but was able to collect at the second attempt.

After the break, Grays went straight onto the attack once more, Remy charging after a loose ball bobbling towards the Borough area, but was beaten by a brave Karamoko who out jumped him and headed clear.

There were further chances for Griffiths and Remy before the former combined well with Hayzelden to volley from ten yards. But Karamoko was equal to it, pulling off a superb left-handed save, and Marney cleared the ball away from danger.

Carthy was reduced to shooting from long range, not bothering the Harrow goal. Wayne Walters successfully contained the Grays captain away from danger, and from a Richard Weale clearance, Harrow counter-attacked through Abdulai Yoki.

Working well with Marney, the ball was passed through to Underwood but the striker was unable to capitalise on the opportunity. Yoki was back on the attack soon after when Fitzsimon threaded the ball through to him, out on the right wing.

The pacey player outran three defenders, but once more was unable to beat the advancing Capleton.

With the game played at cup-tie speed, fresh legs were required for both sides. Allan Crosby and Naoki Mouri were soon in action for Harrow, but the Grays defence withstood the attack.

Grays had some opportunities in the final minutes of the game, but the resurgent Harrow defence, unrecognisable from periods earlier in the season held on for another clean point and a vital point.