Cray Wanderers picked up a hard earned point in a goalless, but entertaining game with Horsham at Flamingo Park on Saturday afternoon in front of an excellent crowed of over 600.
The game started with the visitors having slightly the better of things, Jack Brivio twice heading over from James Hammond crosses from the right.
Ola Ogunwamide then also went close for The Hornets, before The Wands first chance fell to Frankie Raymond whose curling low shot was saved by former Cray keeper Lewis Carey in the Horsham goal. Brivio headed over again from a Hammond corner when well placed and Hammond then fired over from a free kick 25 yards out.
Late in the half Referee Thomas Berry failed to stop play when the ball deflected off him and gifted Horsham another chance, but fortunately Cray held out and cleared the danger, with great defensive work from Tom Bonner, David Ijaha and keeper Shaun Rowley.
The second half started with play going from end to end, but as it went on Horsham had the better of things again for a spell before The Wnads created a rare chance when Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera did well down the right and set up Nyren Clunis whose goalbound volley was blocked by Brivio.
The game developed a more physical edge as things went on, but despite the visitors having more possession, they wasted it with some wayward passing in key areas.
Late in the half Horsham’s Charlie Hester-Cook was sent off for a second yellow when he caught Charlie Edwards with a late challenge in midfield, taking a long time to leave the field.
Going into injury time Cray had a good spell of pressure as they looked to make their man advantage count, but despite several balls into the box, the visitors held out and the match ended all square.
The point sees Neil Smith’s side slip into the bottom four ahead of their FA Cup second qualifying round tie with Wingate & Finchley at Flamingo Park next Saturday lunchtime.
CWFC – Rowley, Owiredu-Gyamera, Ijaha, Bonner, Dowrich, Raymond, Cook (Smith 80), Edwards, Kayani (Stewart 90), Clunis, Coker.
Subs Not Used: Taylor, Sodje, Hamouchene.
HFC – Carey, Elliott, Sparks, Baker, Philpot, Hammond, Hester-Cook, Ajakaiye (Turner 75), Ogunwamide (Myles-Meekums 76), Brivio, Dickson (Fenelon 68).
Subs not Used: Strange, Beere.
HT 0-0 FT 0-0
Att: 607
Referee: Thomas Berry