CHUKKI Eribenne netted for the third successive game to earn Weymouth a share of the spoils against Nationwide South leaders Grays Athletic.

The former Havant and Waterlooville striker fired the hosts into a first half lead against the Essex full-timers.

But the Terras could not hang on as former Ipswich Town defender Eddie Youds headed a second half equaliser for Mark Stimson's no-nonsense outfit.

The point was probably the least Steve Claridge's side deserved for a strong defensive display.

With centre half Nathan Bunce impressive, the home side limited free-scoring Grays to only a handful of chances.

Unbeaten Grays may get results this season, but on this evidence they will make few friends for their direct and physical style of play.

Another 1,200-plus crowd at Radipole Lane suffered a frustrating afternoon littered with free-kicks and stoppages during a scrappy contest.

Weymouth winger Adam Wilde made a shock start for Weymouth after recovering from a groin injury picked up on his Terras debut in July.

Defender Paul Gibbs was also back after a bout of gastro-enteritis, while skipper Martin Barlow impressed again after his cameo appearance in midweek.

It took Wilde just ten minutes to show home fans what they had missed during his period out.

The former Worcester City star's excellent left wing run and cross down was knocked back across goal by Tully only for Shaun Wilkinson to volley wide from close range.

Booking - Grays' Mitchell Cole sliced wide after good work by Leroy Griffiths
moments later, but the opening stages were cagey with both sides cancelling each other out.

Referee James Linnington signalled what was to follow, booking Terras defender Nathan Bunce and Eddie Youds for a bout of wrestling before a Grays' free-kick.

From that set play, home striker Lee Philips came to the rescue by clearing after a weak punch by keeper Jason Matthews.

A few puzzling decisions by theman in black caused the temperature on the park to rise and things were not helped when Gibbs appeared to be whacked in the face by winger Dean Brennan.

Once things settled down, the hosts looked dangerous down the flanks and enjoyed a purple patch towards the end of the half.

Wilde sent a rocket just wide of visiting keeper and former Terras trialist Carl Emberson's goal from distance on 35 minutes.

Less than five minutes later the hosts were ahead.

A patient build up from the back ended with Robbie Pethick sending Eribenne away with a peach of a through ball.

The burly striker got in behind Youds, side-stepped Emberson and coolly slotted home.

Weymouth went into the break ahead but only after Matthews saved smartly from George's flick header.

Wilkinson came mighty close to doubling the lead soon after the restart, curling wide after Eribenne dummied Phillips cross from the left byline.

The blood and thunder continued though as Pethick remonstrated after taking a blow to face by substitute Vill Powell.

Later Barlow lived up to his nick name Chopsie by scything down Stuart Thurgood, yet was not booked.

Grays boss Stimson shook things up by throwing on highly-rated striker Freddy Eastwood and the substitute made an immediate impact, hitting the post with a swirling drive.

Claridge, out of action since the opening day with a hip injury, replaced Eribenne midway through the second half.

But the veteran striker looked off the pace and the home side's chances dried up after the change.

Grays took a stranglehold after that and got the equaliser they were
threatening 15 minutes before the end.

Brennan swung over a high corner from the right and with Matthews nowhere, Youds powerfully headed home at the far post.

Phillips headed tamely at Emberson seconds after the restart, as both sides pressed for the win.

The best chances to steal the points fell to the out-of-sorts Tully who opted to take an extra touch rather than shooting after an outrageous Claridge back heel.

For the visitors, that man | Youds found himself in an | almost identical position to his goal but saw his header loop over the top.

Weymouth: Jason Matthews, Steve Tully, Paul Gibbs, Nathan Bunce, David Waterman, Robbie Pethick, Martib Barlow, Chukki Eribenne, Adam Wilde, Shaun Wilkinson, Lee Phillips

Subs: Steve Claridge (for Eribenne 66mins), Ian Hutchinson, Paul Buckle, Lee Charles, Matt Bound

Grays Athletic: Carl Emberson, Joe Bruce, Daniel Lunan, Steve Robinson, Eddie Youds, Staurt Thurgood, Dean Brennan, Martin Carthy, Leroy Griffiths, Liam George, Mitchell Cole

Subs: Dean Bradshaw, Freddy Eastwood (for George 52mins), Vill Powell (for Cole 61mins), Chris Wilde, Simon Overland

Referee: James Linnington (Newport)

Bookings:

Weymouth: Bunce (off-the-ball incident), Wilde (foul)

Grays Athletic: Youds (off-the-ball incident), George (foul)