Cray Wanderers maintained their promotion playoff push with a hard fought victory at fellow playoff contenders Cheshunt.  James Duckworth’s first half goal and a solid rearguard action enabled Cray to grab a big three points on the road.  Cray remain fourth in the table and require one more victory to confirm an end of season playoff place.

The Wands were the better side in the first half and the impressive central defensive pairing of Ben Payne and Jay Leader were dangerous at the other end of the field and twice came close in the opening ten minutes.

Cray took the lead in the 37th minute when Aryan Tajbakhsh layed the ball across from the left to James Duckworth in the middle who turned and worked his way into the area and coolly slotted the ball past Ambers keeper, James May

Cheshunt dominated the second half and Nick Blue saved well from Kai Heather’s close range shot.  Cray were fortunate when John Frendo’s strike came back off the post.

Leigh Bremner headed over for Cray in a rare foray after half time and Cheshunt’s last opportunity came in stoppage time when Liam Hope headed wide.

Cray are next in action on Tuesday evening at second placed Thurrock in another key match at the top.       

Cray:   Blue, Cox,  Basey, Leader, Payne, Dawson (Capt.), Tajbakhsh (Mascoll), Roberts, Bremner (Hunt), Duckworth, Frieter:  Subs:  Powell, McKinlay, Faulker

Att:      170