Cray Wanderers suffered a blow to their hopes for automatic promotion on Saturday when they lost out to fourth place Carshalton in a close fought entertaining game at Hayes Lane.

The game began at a fast pace with chances at either end, Jay Leader had a 25yard drive tipped over by Billy Bishop before Wands keeper Nick Blue mad a great save from Raheem Sterling-Parker when one on one at the other end. Cray were pressed hard by The Robins and found it hard to keep possession of the ball at times. Things settled as the half went on, but there were still opportunities for both sides, Aaron Rhule hit the side netting for The Wands and Karl Dent forced a save from Bishop with a free kick, while Ola Sogbanmu fired over for the visitors. Just before half time Dent crossed for Michael Power who had his towering header tipped over the bar by Bishop, but bizarrely Referee Bloy awarded a goal kick much to the keeper’s amusement. Right on the break Blue saved well from Sterling –Parker after good work by Pattison Christie and Kalvin Morath-Gibbs turned the resulting corner wide of the post from close range.

The second half began with Jordan Cheadle driving a free kick over for The Robins, before Cray took the lead on 51minutes when Rhule sent over a dipping, swerving cross that caught Bishop off his line and dropped in to the net at the far post. Carshalton pressed from there and had a strong spell of pressure, Tommy Bradford had an effort deflected over and Mitchell Nelson bravely blocked a shot from Sogbanmu. Barney Williams headed a cross off the line soon after, but the visitors pressure finally paid off on 72minutes when Cheadle hit a spectacular 30yard free kick that curled over the wall and just under the bar to equalise. Three minutes later Carshalton were ahead when Christie hit an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net from 25yards out giving Blue no chance and handing Peter Adeniyi’s side a deserved lead. Player manager Adeniyi was at the heart of things in the midfield, still showing some great touches and creating chances. He was just off target with one effort and then created another opportunity for Ricky Koroba who had his shot well saved by Blue. Tony Russell threw centre back Nelson up front for the final few minutes to give The Wands a target man to play next to Charlie MacDonald, but they were unable to wear down The Robins defence and the visitors still looked the more likely to score right up until the final whistle.

This was a frustrating afternoon for The Wands with four players being booked in the second half and they now have to regroup and aim to get things back on track away to Ashford Utd next weekend having won only one of their last five games since beating The Nuts & Bolts 9-1 last month.

Cray: Blue, Mundele, Williams, Leader, Nelson, Dadson (Scott 70), Dent, Carpenter, Henry (Freiter 76), Rhule,  Power (MacDonald 60). Subs Not Used: Evans, Vines.

Carshalton: Bishop, Price, Hamilton-Downes, Morath-Gibbs, Adeniyi, Sogbanmu (Dudley 88), Sterling-Parker (O’Sullivan 80), Bradford, Aziaya, Cheadle, Christie (Koroba 77). Subs Not Used: Koroma, Healey.

Goals: Cray – Rhule 51mins. Robins – Cheadle 72, Christie 75mins.

Att:  318 HT 0-0 FT 1-2

Ref: Mr R Bloy