Despite a much improved performance Cray lost their ninth game in a row and remain rooted to the bottom of the Ryman League Premier Division after this entertaining game against play off chasing Bognor Regis Town.

In his message to the fans Cray manager Keith Bird had said that he hoped ‘the great escape’ would start here, but sadly for The Wands faithful it was not to be.

Bognor started the game the livelier and pressed down the wings from the off, after Harvey Whyte had been denied by Darren Behcet they took the lead on 6 minutes when a fine run and cross from Arron Hopkinson was converted by Terry Dodd at the near post.

Cray occasionally posed a threat on the break, but The Rocks created several chances, Hopkinson had two efforts saved, Whyte hit the post and Ollie Pearce was also denied by Behcet.

Then on 34 minutes Cray broke with purpose and Paul Vines drove a superb effort into the roof of the net from 12 yards to equalise.

Any hope of going level at the break was dashed though only two minutes later when some sloppy passing in midfield gifted Bognor the ball and with The Wands on the back foot Kane Wills broke clear and finished coolly past Behcet to make it 1-2.

Hopkinson was again thwarted by The Wands keeper late in the half, while Cray’s Irish Under 19 International Steve Smith had a couple of efforts off target as the Game opened up.

The second half was more even, but Bognor still created the better chances Whyte forced another save from Behcet and Hopkinson hit the post after a fine run. Keith Brid made some changes, but although Cray looked more solid at the back and in midfield they failed to pose enough of an attacking threat.

The win kept Bognor in the play off places, while Cray look to be improving too late to really have a chance of avoiding the drop come the end of the season.

Cray Wands: Behcet, Udoji, Bird, Monan (Rhule 68), Maduako, Koo Boothe, Beckett (Fakinos 85), Stavrinou, Ferrier (Campbell 72), Vines, Smith.

Subs Not Used: Stone, Orome.

Star Man: Arron Hopkinson (Bognor)

Match Rating: 3/5

Ref: Mr Norcott

Att: 126