Cray Wanderers kept up their unbeaten run which stretched to 13 games but had to be content with a point against a determined and resolute Hastings United side at a damp Pilot Field.

Cray began the match full of confidence and came close to scoring in the fifth minute when Power set up Scott down the right of the area whose near post shot was met by a fine save from Charlie Horlock who pushed the ball behind for a corner.  From the resulting corner the ball came to Jay Leader whose header hit the right post.

Hastings though looked a pacey side and for only the second time in the league this season Cray fell behind in the 8th minute when the ball was worked down the right and Dayshonne Golding’s ball into the area was fired home by Calum Davies.

Cray slowly worked their way into the game and levelled with a terrific goal in the 26th minute.  Jerome Federico found Barney Williams down the left who put over an excellent cross which was met first time by Power who volleyed in his 15th goal of the season from the edge of the area.

Cray came close before halftime when first from a free kick out on the left, Michael Frieter’s ball into the area was met by the head of Mitchell Nelson and his effort was thwarted by a top drawer save from Horlock.  Then a right wing cross from Scott to the far post found Federico whose shot was deflected behind for a corner.  From the corner into the box Nelson got on the end of the cross and knocked the ball into the net but was ruled out for a foul on Horlock.

The second half was fairly lacklustre with only a handful of openings to speak of.  Cray had a half chance when the ball came to Power down the right but his volley from a difficult angle went over the bar, then turned well on the edge of the area and his shot was saved low by Horlock.

Frieter hit a shot from distance which was comfortably held by Horlock then the Hastings keeper did well though to keep out a stinging effort from Scott at his near post. 

Sam Cruttwell fired just off target for the home side but they were a bit fortunate in the last minute when a defensive header found Ralique awrence who strode on but as the keeper came to meet him narrowed the angle but appeared to be brought down on the edge of the area.  As the ball came loose Power’s effort was blocked.

The last action of the game came in injury time and Hastings almost pulled off an unlikely victory when David Radori hit an effort from just outside the area which narrowly cleared the crossbar.

In the end the game finished in a 1-1 draw which keeps Cray in fourth, five points off the leaders and three points behind second placed Corinthian Casuals. 

Cray Wanderers: Nick Blue, Ben Mundele, Barney Williams, Jay Leader, Mitchell Nelson, Lea Dawson (Capt,), Zak Henry (Dean Carpenter, H/T), Michael Frieter (Karl Dent, 72), Michael Power, Brandon Scott, Jerome Federico (Ralique Lawrence, 59):  Subs: Freddie Parker, Marcus Evans.

Att: 254