A late goal by Joe Vines boosted Cray's promotion credentials with a superb 2-1 win away to second-placed AFC Hornchurch.

Skippering the Cray team while Mark Willy completes his recovery from injury, Vines at centre half has made a big impact for the Wands since January after his own recovery from injury.

Cray's victory at Hornchurch moved them back above Hendon to fifth place in the table, to rejoin the play-off contenders, and also wiped out the painful memory of a 5-2 opening day defeat against the Urchins at Hayes Lane in August.

With nothing to choose between the sides in a tight first half, it took a brilliant solo goal from Leigh Bremner to break the deadlock in the 69th minute.

Playing his 250th game for the Wands, Bremner picked up the ball deep on the right, made a weaving run into the penalty area and then surprised the home 'keeper by tucking a low shot inside his near post.

Bremner's great goal - his 99th for the club - was cancelled out when Martin Tuohy netted one of his habitual goals against Cray just two minutes later, meeting a left-wing cross with a clipped volley past Andy Walker.

Cray manager Ian Jenkins, who had challenged his team to make a statement of intent to get into the play-offs this season, made three late substitutions and was rewarded with a winning goal two minutes from time.

New signing Jamie Darvill from Ebbsfleet United took a pass from Danny Phillips and crossed low to the far post where the marauding Vines stabbed the ball into the net.

Cray are at home next Sunday (3pm) to Leatherhead who are struggling to avoid relegation in their first season after being promoted into the Ryman Premier last year.

Cray: Walker, Young, Bentley, Saunders, Vines, Sterling, Perkins (Long), Whitnell (Darvill), Bremner (Stavrinou), Phillips, Clark. subs not used: Dolby, Willy