Jefferson Louis netted his first Crawley goal but his side were fortunate to be ahead at the break against a lively Grays team today.

Louis, making his first start since the opening day defeat at Mansfield, netted after six minutes with a well-struck volley after Glenn Wilson had nodded down Sam Rents' free kick.

But the visitors should have levelled three minutes later when Danny Charge outpaced the home defence but shot against the post from15 yards.

Grays threatened again when Richard Graham latched onto a clearance by goalkeeper Preston Edwards but was denied by a combination of keeper Nick Jordan and Wilson.

Wilson hit the post with a header but Grays went close again just before the break when Charge outpaced Wilson and pulled the ball back to Glenn Poole but he fired wide of an open goal.