Cray Wanderers confirmed a place in the Isthmian League North playoffs after a tremendous victory at second placed Thurrock to give the Wands a twelve point lead over the sixth placed club with three games to go. 

The Wands produced a committed and gutsy performance despite having to reshuffle the side through injuries and were the better side in a goalless first half and could have scored four goals before the break.

Jay Leader had a header cleared off the line whilst Karl Dent and James Duckworth forced good saves out of Thurrock keeper, Rhys Madden, whilst Sean Roberts shot narrowly wide.

Thurrock were a better side in the second half and Junior Baker headed over before Nick Blue made two fine saves from Daniel Francis and Ross Wall.

This turned out to be crucial as in the 65th minute, Cray went ahead.  Grant Basey found Ray Powell down the right who squared the ball to Dent who took a couple of touches and on the edge of the area fired a shot which was slightly deflected into the back of the net.

Thurrock looked to lay siege to the Cray goal for the remainder of the game and Wall hit the crossbar and the follow up was cleared off the line.  After soaking up a lot of pressure Cray held on for the three points which ensures playoff activity for the Wands.                             

Cray:   Blue, Tajbakhsh,  Basey, Leader, Mascoll, Dawson (Capt.), Roberts, Dent (Payne), Carpenter, Duckworth (Powell), Frieter (McKinlay):  Subs: Hunt, Faulkner

Att: 153