An ever-present in the UK Open televised finals in Bolton, Gray's run to the semi-finals at the Antwerp Darts Trophy in 2007 saw him earn a Stan James World Matchplay qualifying spot but he lost 10–12 to Kevin Painter in the first round.
Gray had previously come through to win a place at the 2005 Las Vegas Desert Classic, where he overcame American John Kuczynski in the first round before going down to Ray Carver.
Hoping to build on his success over Taylor in Ireland, Gray suffered a disappointing first round exit from the 2008 World Championship, losing 3–2 to Mark Walsh.
On the third day of action he earned a PDC Pro Tour card with a 6–5 win over John Scott after also beating Geoff Kime, Steven Pearson and Brian Kirk before reaching the final stage.
[6] At the UK Open he beat Steve Brown, Connie Finnan and Dean Stewart to reach the fourth round, where he met Phil Taylor.
Two last 16 appearances in the first 18 events were followed by a sensational run to the semi-finals of Players Championship 20, where Gray beat the likes of Max Hopp, Justin Pipe, Nathan Aspinall and Steve Beaton before succumbing to Peter Wright.