Cray advanced to the first qualifying round of the FA Trophy following a deserved victory over Hastings United at Hayes Lane.

The Wands started the game very well as CJ Williams and Shaun Welford both tested Hastings keeper Josh Pelling.

Hussein Isa’s fine free-kick from 25 yards was tipped over by Pelling two minutes before half-time. 

In stoppage time, Phillips nodded wide from a corner as Cray ended a goalless half on top.

The second half was a different game as Hastings came out more and Kenny Pogue tested Nick Taylor with a low shot from the edge of the box. 

Sam Adams’ free-kick from 30 yards was brilliantly tipped over by Taylor. 

Cray took the lead on 76 minutes with an excellent goal by Ian Daly. 

Kerry Kedze’s delivery to the back post was knocked back by Welford to Daly, who hit a great shot into the bottom corner of Pelling’s net.

In the second minute of added time, Cray wrapped up the tie when Welford converted a penalty to earn the Wands a home tie with Faversham Town in the first qualifying round on November 1.            

Cray: Taylor, Fakinos, Patterson, Humphrey, Williams, Isa (Bojiji), Hill, Phillips, Welford, Daly, Welsh (Kedze). Subs: Stone, Springett, Beckett. Att: 218.