Despite dominating the second half Cray Wanderers lost out in the top of table clash with Lewes at Hayes Lane on Saturday after condecing twice in the first eight minutes and had to finish an ill tempered match with ten men, which will leave them without key players going into February.
The Visitors got off to the perfect start when they took the lead on 40 seconds as Omar Lawson found himself unmarked in the box and coolly slotted the ball past Nick Blue to make it 1-0 to The Rooks with the home defence caught completely cold.
Cray responded immediately with Brandon Scott shooting wide after linking up with Charlie MacDonald and soon after Karl Dent saw an inswinging corner punched away from under the bar by Lewes Keeper Chris Winterton.
The Rooks pressed The Wands defence from high up the pitch and they forced uncharacteristic errors from the home defence who gave the ball away a few times.
On one occasion Jamie Brotherton broke with the ball and seemed to run straight into Mitchell Nelson just inside the box, which incredibly referee Skipper saw fit to award a penalty for.
Brotherton tucked the spot kick away and Cray were 2-0 down after only 8 minutes. Lawson had a shot deflected over soon after before the next major talking point came when Frankie Chappell lunged head first into MacDonald to halt the striker’s run on the half way line, for which he was only booked.
Lawson was denied by Blue again after another defensive lapse from The Wands with Lewes seeming quicker and sharper to the ball in key areas.
The Rooks weren’t afraid to do the ugly side of the game either, constantly badgering the officials and committing fouls to halt Cray’s attacking momentum.
One heavy challenge on Dent lead to a free kick in a dangerous area, but the midfielder put his set piece over the bar. Just before the break Charles Coppola fired over for Lewes who went in deservedly in front.
Cray came out for the second half looking to get back into things and pressed Lewes from the off taking the game to The Rooks and imposing their style on things.
MacDonald and Lea Dawson had headers saved by Winterton and the keeper also made stops from Brandon Scott and Ben Mundele.
Mundele soon went one better when he surged forward from right back and hit a curling effort from 20 yards that deflected in past the keeper to make it 1-2.
On a rare Lewes attack Brotherton hit the foot of the post after a strong run, but it was almost one way traffic as The Wands pressed with a series of corners a free kicks that Winterton coped very well with.
Cray captain Dawson was knocked out when challenging for a high ball with The Rooks custodian, but he was soon up and raring to go as he lead by example for his team.
Dawson then had two goal bound shots blocked by defenders from another dead ball and Scott saw his effort headed off the line by Leon Redwood soon after.
Jay Leader headed wide from a corner as time began to run out and tempers began to fray when Referee Skipper argued with Barney Williams over a twice taken Lewes throw and decided to show him a straight red card.
Then in injury time Nelson was also sent off when he collided with Lloyd Cotton in midfield and was shown a second yellow card to the amazement of most of the large crowd.
Both games between Cray and Lewes this season have ended 2-1 to The Rooks and The Wands have finished with nine men on both occasions, experiencing very little luck on the way.
Lewes now lead by two points in the promotion race with a game in hand, but Tony Russell will be picking his side up and preparing for the next game away at Herne Bay looking to start another unbeaten run.
Cray: Blue, Mundele, Williams, Leader, Nelson, Dent (Power 83), Henry (Carpenter 45), Dawson, Scott, Dadson (Lawrence 65), MacDonald.
Subs Not Used: Freiter, Evans.
Lewes: Winterton, Brinkhurst, Redwood, Hammond, Chappell, Cotton, Lawson, Sow, Medlock (Bosma 70), Brotherton (Reed 74), Coppola (Conlon 54).
Subs Not Used: Smith, Hurley.
Goals: Cray – Mundele 59mins. Lewes – Lawson 40secs, Brotherton 8pen.
Att: 516
HT 0-2 FT 1-2
Ref: Mr D Skipper