Cray Wanderers three game.winning streak came to an end at Hayes Lane as a well drilled and impressive Lewes side took the three points in a clash of two contenders for the playoff positions and in turn complete a league double over the Wands.

The Wands recent burst of form had put them back into the playoff picture but it was Lewes who moved into the top five after a fine display in the opening fifteen minutes when a Stephen Okoh goal gave them an early lead.  Cray slowly worked their way into the game but a rip-roaring second half saw the Rooks go two up with a fine goal from Lloyd Harrington just after the hour.

Cray though never give up and a crashing shot from Luke Medley, his seventh goal in four games, in the 66th minute gave Cray hope once more.   Lewes stepped up a gear and went back on the attack and ten minutes from time made it 3-1 with James Hammond firing home to clinch the three points.

This was Cray’s first home game since January 2nd and the pitch had withstood the wet weather and was perfectly playable if a bit muddy in places.  Cray have never beaten Lewes in the league in seven previous attempts and had their work cut out when the visitors took the lead in only the 4th minute.  Nick Blue’s kick was picked up by Lloyd Harrington who switched the ball out to the left to Stephen Okoh who cut into the penalty area and drilled a low shot across Blue into the net.  

Lewes could have scored more in the opening fifteen minutes with James Hammond seeing an effort blocked by Blue on the line and Jonte Smith and Jack Dixon fired shots wide.

Cray though slowly got their way back into the game and started to exert pressure but the nearest they came to scoring was in the 37th minute when Leigh Bremner hit a shot on the turn which Lewes keeper Chris Winterton did well to push away.

The second half was an exciting affair with Cray coming close when Luke Medley turned and fired over the bar.  However, it became 2-0 in the 61st minute when Steve Brinkman and the impressive Hammond down the right combined to set up Harrington who from just outside the area placed a crisp shot into the bottom right corner.

The Wands though managed to pull a goal back in the 66th minute with a classy strike from Medley.  Lea Dawson played a ball in to the box and Ben Mundele held the ball up well to set up Medley who curled a superb shot into the top right corner of the net from just inside the area for his 22nd goal of the season.

Lewes though went back on the attack and Charlie Coppola was denied by a brilliant one handed save from Blue.  The Rooks then with ten minutes to go sealed the points with another accomplished finish.  Coppola found Smith who laid the ball back to Hammond who fired into the bottom left corner for a goal his performance deserved.

Cray remain eighth in the league table, five points behind the playoff places.

Cray:   Nick Blue, Ben Mundele, Grant Basey, Jay Leader, Jai McKinlay, Lea Dawson, Sean Roberts (Lee Prescott, 66), Sol Taiwo, Leigh Bremner, Luke Medley, Timi Osidobu (Dane Luchford, 71):  Subs:  Brandon Scott, Paul Lorraine, Sean Law

Attendance:   152