It was a major surprise and a big bonus when Football League clubs decided not to make an offer for Lee Tomlin during last month's transfer window.

Now he could achieve the dream with Diamonds by leading them to promotion.

Tomlin responded in the right way following a private chat with Justin Edinburgh who showed man-management skills by assuring the 21-year-old that the only way is up.

This squad has so much talent and it's not just about Tomlin's ability.
Edinburgh and several players have spoken about the play-off bid being a team effort.

It was a similar story on Saturday – although, inevitably, Tomlin made the difference again.

He added two assists and provided a creative spark which will pose problems for much stronger sides than Grays Athletic who are surely heading back where they belong outside the top flight of non-League football.

A major factor behind the lack of transfer activity must be Tomlin's indiscipline because there can be no question over his quality and consistency.

He will miss two home games this week after collecting a 10th yellow card. Unusually this one came for a foul rather than dissent.

So how will Diamonds cope without probably the best young player in the Blue Square Premier?

They suffered three successive defeats following Tomlin's sending-off earlier this season when mid-table mediocrity still looked more likely than a top-five finish.

Things have changed, though, as Edinburgh's squad have settled together.

Four league wins out of five have left them right up there in the play-off pack.

There are tougher tests to come as this was another easy afternoon when Diamonds perhaps should have scored more goals.

Aaron O'Connor wasted a golden chance and Tomlin clipped the far post before they combined to break the deadlock as a clever pass was converted with a cool finish by the former Grays striker.

Mark Byrne's header was cleared off the line, Jefferson Louis nodded over the bar and Tomlin came close.

It was only a matter of time until Diamonds doubled their lead and that duly happened as Michael Corcoran headed home Tomlin's corner immediately after the Irishman had a penalty saved.

Louis sealed Diamonds' first win at Grays with a tap-in to make amends for his twice-taken spot-kick being pushed out by Richard Martin. But it was all over as a contest long before then.