Despite missing a number of players though injury Cray Wanderers picked up a vital three points on Wednesday night at Hayes Lane as they saw off Brightlingsea Regent thanks to four second half goals including a hatrick for Bromley Under 23s loanee Ben Krauhaus.
Cray got off to a bright start with Nyron Clunis causing the visitors problems down the right and Sam Skeffington fired over from range.
The Wands continued to press Brightlingsea with Clunis going close when latching on to a great ball from Krauhaus and then Skeffington crossed for Tom Derry whose shot was blocked by the feet of Charlie Turner.
Dan Bassett hit the side netting as he connected with a corner and Karuhaus then hit the bar after a powerful run into the area.
With the home side continuing to dominate Clunis crossed for Derry whose header was saved by Turner and Neil Smith’s side also had several shots blocked from around the edge of the box as they failed to find a breakthrough.
The worry among the home fans at the break was that Cray might pay for not taking their chances and the second half started with Brightlingsea pressing, Carlos Da Rocha latched on to a poor kick from Shaun Rowley, but the home keeper made up for it by saving Da Rocha’s resulting shot on goal.
Alberton Pinto struck the bar from range as Regent continued to press, but it was then on 49 minutes that Cray broke the deadlock against the run of play.
A break upfield by The Wands saw Bassett receive the ball out wide on the right and he crossed perfectly for Krauhaus to side foot the ball home for 1-0.
Jermain Anderson had a shot saved by Rowley as Regent looked to draw level, but Cray now looked reinvigorated and started to cause the visitors problems again.
Derry had a powerful shot saved for a corner, new loan signing from Leyton Orient Harrison Sodje set up Bassett whose shot was deflected wide.
Rowley was on hand to tip over a header from Jake Thompson at a Brightlingsea corner, before Skeffington went close for The Wands from long range.
With Cray now looking to increase their lead, Sinkaye Christie and Kellen Fisher set up Anthony Cook who clipped the ball just wide of the post.
The Wands second goal finally came on 74 minutes when Bassett set up Krauhuas who scored at the second attempt past Turner.
Skeffington had a shot saved again before Krauahus turned provider setting up Derry who crashed the ball home for 3-0.
A minute later it was 4-0 when Krauhus completed his hatrick, finishing off a slick passing move from Cray around the area.
Late on Anderson had another shot saved by Rowley to preserve his clean sheet, while Bassett and Michael Ademiluyi both went close with chances to make it five.
The win takes Smith’s side up to fourth in the table ahead of their home game with Enfield Town on Saturday.
Cray: Rowley, Sodje, Christie, Jones, Fisher, Krahuas (Ademiluyi 83), Chapman (Ijaha 74), Skeffington, Clunis (Cook 69), Bassett, Derry.
Subs Not Used: Ando, Stagg.
Regent: Turner, George, Andseron, Durling, Thompson, Littlejohn, Rusoke (Jeremiah 45), Pinto, Sotoyinbo (Carnegie 66), Da Rocha, Woodward (Odeku 80).
Subs Not Used: Oladejo, Bell.
Goals: Krauhuas 46, 75, 80mins. Derry 79mins.
Att: 157
HT 0-0 FT 4-0
Referee: Mr Joe McKay