Winning ugly when you are not at your best is the hallmark of all top teams and Felixstowe had to do that against a gutsy Grays side struggling to put out a team.

The Essex visitors twice went ahead against a below par Seasiders through Charlie Stimson then Codey Cosgrave, before Joe Wight equalised from the penalty spot, substitute Billy Holland levelled for a second time.

Fellow substitute Josh Mayhew popped up with a headed winner in the 93rd minute, moments after he had rattled the crossbar, to give Felixstowe a 3-2 win., and their seventh consecutive victory.

Match-winner Josh Mayhew with asssiatt manager Andy Crump (Picture: Felixstowe & Walton United X)

It wasn't vintage Felixstowe as assistant manger Andy Crump admitted in his post match interview with the club website.

"At this stage of the season character is important and to ve able to go that late in to the game and get three points on what was probably not our best performance of the season," said Crump.

"Their gaffer told me that 10 am this morning only had eight players so credit to them for the way they set up and making it very difficult for us and they caused us a lot of problems.

"We didn't hit our levels in the first half, we were 60 per cent down, maybe that was tired legs a lot of games, or to them being well set up, but as game went on we got much better.

"It wasn't perfect but the important thing was three points."

The victory keeps the pressure on leaders Lowestoft who beat Redbridge 5-1 to keep a three point, and superior goal difference, cushion at the top, as the games tick off.

The Seasiders go to Enfield next Saturday, then take on Heybridge Swifts at the AGL Arena the following Saturday (March 12)