Cray's credentials as newcomers to the Ryman Premier League have taken a knock after successive defeats against fellow-promoted teams.

After a scrappy 2-1 home defeat by Waltham Abbey, the Wands crashed 4-1 at Kingstonian to remain perilously near the bottom of the table.

Kingstonian's speedy left-winger Dean Lodge did the damage, netting a hat-trick to put the Ks three-nil up after 68 minutes.

Cray staged a revival when Leigh Bremner headed in from Colin Luckett's cross on 78 minutes, and moments later Bremner had a goalbound shot cleared off the line.

But a late goal by Ks restored the home side's advantage, to leave Cray manager Ian Jenkins with a big challenge to improve the Wands form as he enters his eleventh year in charge.

Jenkins reached his ten year landmark at the beginning of October, and was presented with a long service award before the kick-off versus Waltham Abbey, as a mark of gratitude from the club for the successful rise from the Kent League to the Ryman Premier during his reign.

Cray return to Ryman Premier action at home to Boreham Wood on Tuesday night (7.45pm).