The midfielder was given his first involvement in a month to start against the U’s and repaid Neale Marmon’s selection with the opening goal of the match in the second half. 

In the aftermath of the celebrations, visiting goalkeeper Dillon Barnes was shown a straight red card to leave Colchester with a man disadvantage. 

However, with 15 minutes remaining Tom Eastman netted an equaliser to frustrate the hosts and force them to settle for a share of the spoils. 

Pleased to be back involved, the result left Gray with mixed emotions.

“It was nice to be back in the team helping out and trying to get us over the line. 

“Before the game we might have taken a point but with the situation that happened in the game we’re a bit disappointed, but it’s something to work from and I’m looking forward to next week now.

“After the red card it was chaos for the next 10 minutes and we didn’t really settle down which was a bit annoying, and then they equalise at the back post which was so annoying, but that’s football and we just couldn’t get that next goal.”

The Glovers now head to Northampton in Sky Bet League Two looking to climb out of the relegation zone in the penultimate match of the campaign. 

Roared on by over 3,000 Town fans on Easter Monday, the 23-year-old is feeling positive about the remaining fixtures despite the club’s precarious position.

“The fans were unbelievable,” he said. “When we came out and shook hands they got behind us straight away and it gave everyone a massive boost.

“During the game we didn’t have loads of the ball so we needed them to keep us going and they kept pushing us right to the end and we thank them for that.

“We want to build on today’s performance because there’s a lot of positives. Anything can happen, we all seem to keep getting the same result so we need to get that win and put the pressure on the team above us.

“It’s two massive games now and we’re all really excited. It’s been frustrating not being in the side but I loved it out there again and we’re all really excited.”