Eastbourne Borough 2 Grays Athletic 1 We were the only Charlton blog at Priory Lane today (trademark) and we saw Eastbourne add a bit more icing to their season after winning 2-1. My son and I were at a pre-season friendly and the club's sole aim after promotion was staying up in the Blue Square Premier after playing Sussex County League at the turn of the century. And stay up they have, 17 points ahead of the relegation fight with two games to play.

Grays meanwhile needed the points and it showed looking the better and more hungrier of the sides for long periods. Ex-Addick Jamie Stuart and old Tractor Boy Fabian Wilnis lined up as centre-halves for the Essex side and apart from a horrible first 15 minutes when they lost their keeper Arnold to a freak injury and then went one-down after Lovett stabbed in after a defensive mix up, they played the better football, with Borough often relying on the hoof forward. Sam Long was also being roundly praised by Grays' fans around us at right back.

Black deservedly equalised for Grays right on half time but then captain Armstrong scored from the spot to put Borough back in front. Grays continued to move the ball well but Eastbourne became more comfortable as the game went on. Grays midfielder Pugh was then justly sent off for a wild tackle on nippy winger Matt Crabb and that was that.

1,305 were at Priory Road with a fair sprinkling of Essex boys, the 21st time (out of 22) that the crowd has exceeded four figures this season. Grass roots football in the sun, with the more than was necessary checks on my Blackberry for the latest Charlton score. But a good afternoon out nevertheless.

Just one thing. £12.50 entrance fee, and £2 for a programme my son could have knocked up again puts Charlton's pricing into perspective.  ¶ 18:21