Cray Wanderers picked up an impressive point at home to Haringey Borough and could have won it at the end of an entertaining match, but for the excellent performance of Borough goalkeeper Valery Pajetat, at a sunny Hayes Lane on Saturday.

The Wands started the game on top with Karl Dent forcing a save from Pajetat, while at the other end Anthos Solomou missed a good chance from close range after a strong run into the box.

Scott Durojaiye volleyed just over soon after as Borough improved, while Cray’s midfield general Bradley Pritchard did well to set up Tom Murphy who fired wide.

The breakthrough goal was a moment of quality though, when Borough’s Dimitros Froxylias received the ball 25yards out and curled superb effort over Lewis Carey and into the far corner to put Haringey in front. Late in the half Cray pressed for an equaliser, but the visitors keeper Pajetat was equal to every set piece played into the box.

The second half saw Solomou miss and early chance for the visitors, before Cray really got going again and had long spells of pressure. Lee Lewis, Joe Taylor and Dent all went close, before a foul on Pritchard gave The Wands a free kick from 25 yards out.

Dent curled a fantastic effort over the wall only to be denied by Pajetat who pulled off a superb one handed save just under the bar. Cray continued to pile on the pressure with a series of corners, Mitchel Nelson headed just wide and Ben Mundele saw a header hit the foot of the post after good work by Murphy.

Then on 73 minutes The Wands finally drew level when Taylor was pulled back by Konstatinos Alexandrou in the area and Referee Mr Mathieson awarded a penalty. Taylor coolly rolled the ball home from the spot to make it all square.

From there it was all Wanderers, Pritchard volleyed just wide, Ben Mundele had a shot saved and the rebound scrambled away, before Pajetat made two fantastic saves from Murphy followed by a save right down at the foot of the post from Tom Carlse’s swerving low drive.

Dent shot just over late on, but in the end Cray had to settle for a point against a team who were second place in the table at kick off.

The Wands now travel to Bishop Stortford on Tuesday night looking to build on their solid start to their campaign and hopefully turn some of their draws into wins their performances deserve.

Cray – Carey, Williams, Carlse, Nelson, Hudson, Pritchard, Dent, Frederico (Mundele 65), Lewis, Murphy, Taylor. Subs Not Used: Okonokwo, Etumnu, Parker, Allan.  

Haringey – Pajetat, Richards, Demetriou, Stone, Alexandrou, Froxylias (Ademiluyi 84), Aresti, Solomou (Onokwai 75), Durojaiye, McDonald (Akinola 79). Subs Not Used: Carro.                         

Goals: Borough – Froxylias 34mins. Cray – Taylor Pen 73mins.

Att: 166

Ref: Mr Alan Matheison