Cray maintained their push for the promotion playoffs as a goal in each half gave the Wands a hard fought victory against Waltham Abbey at Hayes Lane.

This was Cray’s first win at home in 2016 and although remaining sixth went level on points with fifth placed Cheshunt on 68 points and three ahead of next week’s opponents, Brightlingsea Regent.

Cray were the better side in the early stages and came close to scoring through Aryan Tajabaksh but went ahead with a tremendous free kick from Grant Basey in the 28th minute.  Basey’s strike from the right edge of the penalty gave Abbey keeper, Aaron Omand no chance and flew into the top left corner.  Omand did well to save from Karl Dent on the stroke of half time as Cray ended the half on top.

The Wands went two up in the 50th minute when from a Basey corner, Ben Hunt steered home a close range finish from Lea Dawson’s knockback.  Dent and Jamie Mascoll both came close to scoring as the game opened up.  

Darnelle Russell was unlucky for Waltham Abbey when Nick Blue did well to tip over his dipping shot but the visitors pulled a goal back in the 84th minute when Christian Assombalonga showed good control to run on and take the ball past Blue and stroke the ball into the net.