Cray Wanderers picked up a hard earned point in their Isthmian League Premier Division match against play off chasing Lewes at Hayes Lane on Saturday with a backs to the wall second half display that kept them six points clear of the bottom four.
The game got off to an open start with Jamie Mascoll playing in Gary Lockyer whose shot was saved by Nathan Harvey in the Lewes goal.
Following on from a Frankie Raymond free kick George Porter was just off target soon after before Lewes then had a good spell of pressure, going close when the impressive Ola Ogunwamide set up Archie Tamplin who hit the outside of the post from just inside the area.
After a spell of back and forth, Sam Ogubtayo was lucky to only receive a yellow card when catching Tayo Oyebola in the face with a high boot and it was from the resulting free kick that The Wands took the lead.
Raymond’s free kick was deflected wide for a corner and debutant Tom Beere’s deep cross found Lockyer at the far post who headed the ball back towards Oyebola to nod home from close range for 1-0.
Neil Smith’s side almost doubled their lead when a long ball up field found Brown who played in Lockyer, the Cray number 9 volleying inches wide from 20 yards out.
In first half injury time The Rooks had a strong spell of pressure, Jake Elliott headed just wide at the far post and Ogunwamide had a long range shot well saved by Shaun Rowley.
The second half saw Cray start brightly with Brown having a goal bound volley blocked, but Lewes then went on to dominate the play.
Sanchez Ming had an effort blocked before Rowley made two great saves denying Chris Whelpdale and then Kalvin Lumbombo-Kalala from the rebound.
With the visitors beginning to get frustrated, Ogunwamide was booked for diving in the area when trying to dupe Referee Kane Dempster as Lewes couldn’t find a way through the home defence.
On a rare break for The Wands, Brown found Raymond who was denied by Charlton loanee Harvey, before Tony Russell’s side pressed again.
Tamplin had two shots saved by Rowley and Marcus Sablier fired just wide before Whepldale blazed over when well placed. Ryan Gonhdoh curled a long range effort just over, before Lewes coach Joe Vones was sent off for voicing his displeasure to the match officials, one of eight cards shown in the game.
Then with five minutes to go Lewes finally found a way through the home back line when Lumbombo-Kalala struck a fierce dipping free kick from 25 yards on the left that just beat Rowley low down at his near post to make it 1-1.
Ming went close soon after as Lewes continued to press, but The Wands held out repelling several corners in the five minutes added on time to pick up a vital point.
This was a display of real character from The Wands, David Ijaha deputising superbly at centre back, Tom Beere having solid debut and it was also great to see Yahaya Bamba make his return as sub after the horrible head injury he sustained on Boxing Day.
The Wands now have a run of three away games, starting with a trip to Bognor Regis Town on Tuesday night.
Cray: Rowley, Kwartchey, Black, Ijaha, Mascoll, Beere, Raymond, Brown (Bamba 87), Porter (Cook 53), Lockyer, Oyebola (Wood 82). Subs Not Used: Evans, Brooke.
Lewes: Harvey, Elliott, Oguntayo, Tamplin (Wood 74), Vint. Penney, Ogunwamide (Gondoh 66), Whlepdale, Ming, Prtichard (Sablier 66), Lumbombo-Kalala. Subs not Used: Olukoga, Slamon.
Goals: CWFC – Oyebola 38mins. LFC Lumbombo-Kalala 85mins.
Att: 343
HT 1-0 FT 1-1
Referee: Kane Dempster