Cray Wanderers and Hornchurch played out a high quality, entertaining draw at Hayes Lane on Wednesday night, with a goal in either half that kept both in touch with the play off places. 

The game stated with Cray looking the brighter, Adam Cunnington almost scored an own goal on his Hornchurch debut as he headed a free kick just over his own bar.

Joe Taylor then played in Rhys Murrell-Williamson who fired over from the edge of the box. The Urchins came back into things as the half went on, Chris Dickson crossed for Cunnington, but Ben Mundele did brilliantly to touch the ball away from the striker for a corner.

Dickson then had a header saved by Lewis Carey, before at the other end Mundele set up Murrell-Williamson whose shot was deflected wide.

With the game wide open, Carey had to make two superb saves with his legs from Dickson and then Cunnington, while Cray’s Murrell-Williamson was just off target with a free kick from out by the touch line.

George Saunders put in a low cross for Dickson, which was touched just wide of the far post and then Saunders went close himself soon after. Dickson forced another save from Carey as the half came to a close with The Urchins well on top and Ronnie Winn was also denied by The Wands custodian.

Then from the corner their pressure finally paid off when Matt Johnson flicked home through a crowd of players in the six yard box to make it 1-0 to the visitors at the break.

The second half started with Dickson going close again, firing across goal before Saunders hit the bar with a deft lob over Carey.

Lewis was just off target for The Wands from distance, but Hornchurch then went close again when Jordan Clark set up Saunders who shot wide.

Hornchurch managed to keep Cray top scorer Taylor starved of service for the most part, but it did open up space for the midfielders, Joel Rawlinson fired over as The Wands rallied and they drew level on 69 minutes when Mundele surged forward from defence before unleashing a beautifully struck curling effort from 40 yards which crashed into the back of the net just under the bar, a goal worthy of a far bigger audience.

The game opened up again from there with Mundele and Murrell-Williams just off target and Cunnington going close at the other end.

Late on sub Aaron Rhule was brought down on the edge of the box, but Lewis’ free kick hit the wall and was cleared to safety.

Cray now entertain Lewes at Hayes Lane on Saturday looking to maintain their place near the top five.            

Cray – Carey, Mundele, Williams, Leader, Nelson, Murrell-Williamson (Frederico 76), Pritchard, Lewis, Allen, Rawlinson (Rhule 86),Taylor.

Subs Not Used: Dent, Hall, Okonkwo. 

Hornchurch – Wright, Parcell, Sutton, Hayles, Johnson, Saunders, Clark (Christou 69), Dickson (Stimson 70), R Winn (Spence 70), Cunnington, Cooper.

Subs Not Used: Lee, G Winn.    

Goals: Hornchurch – Johnson 43mins. Cray – Mundele 69mins.  

Attendance: 210

Referee: Mr Scott Rudd