Tenth-placed Cray Wanderers were more than a match for second-placed Hampton & Richmond Borough at The Beveree, where Cray's 3-1 win was one of their best results and best performances since they were promoted to the Ryman Premier League four years ago.

Cray opened the scoring on 15 minutes when Jack Clark's testing free-kick from the right was spilled by 'keeper Rodney Chiweshe, allowing Leigh Bremner to tuck the loose ball into the net.

Making a welcome return to the Cray defence just two weeks after his ankle injury in the Wealdstone game, Joe Vines put in some crunching tackles to show Cray's determination to impose themselves on the home side.

A period of feisty tacking from both sides saw Cray's midfielder Alex Stavrinou take a hard knock, but there was some relief for the Wands when Joel Ledgister wasted three good crossing opportunities after finding space on the right wing.

Just when it looked as though Cray had weathered a spell of good pressure from the home side, Charlie Moone lashed the ball past Andy Walker to level the scores on the half hour mark.

Cray were back in front on 37 minutes when Stavrinou worked himself an opening to cross from the left, and a downward header from Paul Vines bounced through the 'keeper's hands and into the net.

Moments later a free-kick for a foul on Malvin Kamara allowed Hampton to throw bodies into the Cray goalmouth, but Aaron Day rescued Cray with a clearance off the line after the ball was forced past Walker.

Cray's solid second half performance saw them take command of the game, with Billy Burgess and Tyrone Sterling forming a strong blockade alongside Day and Joe Vines at the back.

Cray netted their third goal on 54 minutes when Day came up for Jack Clark's  corner-kick and sent a glancing header low past Chiweshe's left hand.

It was so nearly four to Cray soon afterwards when Danny Phillips set up Clark for a cross from the left that saw Paul Vines rattle the bar with a first-time blast at goal.

Bremner's cross from the left saw Vines go close again, this time with a powerful header that brought a magnificent leaping save from Chiweshe.

By then, Hampton had made a double substitution to try and reassert themselves in the game, but Cray stayed in command.

Cray: Walker, Burgess, Clark, Day, J Vines, Sterling, P Vines, Stavrinou, Phillips (Peauroux 85), Saunders.

Cray are away to Hendon on Tuesday night (7.45pm) then home to Bognor Regis Town on Sunday (3pm).