A strangely lacklustre Cray suffered another blow to their survival chances as they were comprehensively out played by a Brightlingsea side who still have a chance of making the play offs.

The game got off to an open attacking start Adrian Stone just failed to connect with a Chris Piper corner for The Wands while Phil Kelly forced a save from Dean Giadikiotis for the visitors.

Nick Humphrey had a header saved as Cray enjoyed a good spell, with Moses Ashikodi missing a fine chance taking a touch too much as he raced into the box.

Brightlingsea rallied and George Clarke headed a great chance wide at the far post from a corner when unmarked.

Orlando Smith, Ashikodi and Piper all went close, but The Wands last the vital touch in front of goal and they paid the price for this on 29 minutes when Kelly cut the ball back from the bye line playing in Ben Newson who turned and smashed the ball home from ten yards out to put Regent in front.

Clarke hit the bar for Regent soon after following good work by Ricky Griggs, before Cray finished the half on top with Warren Whitely having a fierce drive tipped over by Ryan Bedingfield and Ashikodi seeing a goal bound shot blocked by a defender.

The second half was almost completely dominated by Brightlingsea as they put Cray under pressure from the off Jake Turner & Newson forced a saves from Giadikiotis before Kelly and Jake Holman had goals ruled out for offside.

Jake Gordon had a powerful effort tipped over and Giadikiotis saved bravely at the feet of Clarke. Then Cray suffered a massive blow when Max Fitzgerald was sent off for a late challenge on Amir Berkane as the visitors broke up field from a corner.

Kelly & Newson went close again before the killer goal came on 83 minutes when Griggs superb cross was headed home by Kelly with real power and precision.

Only a minute later Regent made it 3-0 after Griggs’ cross shot was parried by Giadikiotis only for Gordon to crash the loose ball into the net.

Nathan Simpson registered Cray’s only shot on goal in the half with a free kick that Bedingfield palmed wide, but the visitors continued to look for more.

Newson had a goal ruled out for offside, Gordon curled a shot from the edge of the box just wide, Berkane was denied by Giadikiotis before the Australian keeper then made a fine double save from Newson and Jordan Heath in injury time.

This was an evening to forget for Cray who will have to perform a miracle to stay up now, only a fine display from Dean Giadikiotis kept the score down as Brightlingsea ran out worthy winners.

 

Cray: D Gardikiotis, Fakinos, Simpson, Fitzgerald, Springett, Humphrey, Smith, Piper, Stone, Ashikodi (Hill 64), Whitely (Teniola 64).

Subs Not Used: Griffin, Pass, A Gardikiotis.

Brightlingsea: Bedingfield, Griggs (Adams 85), Josh Gould, Berkane, Holman, Cripps, Clarke (Canfur 70), Turner, Gordon, Kelly (Heath 84), Newson.

Subs Not Used: Joseph, Jake Gould.

Goals: Brightlingsea – Newson 29, Kelly 83, Gordon 84mins.

Ref: Mr G Maskell

Att: 90