Despite a late rally, Cray Wanderers slipped to their second consecutive Isthmian League Premier Division defeat, losing 2-1 at home to Potters Bar Town on Wednesday night at Hayes Lane, thanks to a goal in either half from in form striker Brandon Adams.
Despite missing a number of first team regulars The Wands started the game brightly with Tom Bonner firing over a Frankie Raymond corner and Josh Hallard then having a shot saved by Finn Rushton.
After a quiet spell with the game having a distinct end of season feel to it, Potters Bar took the lead with their first real attack, when a cross from the right wasn’t cleared by the home defence and Adams finished from close range to put The Scholars in front.
Soon after Lateef Adaja has a shot saved by Shaun Rowley in the home goal as the visitors pressed to extend their lead. Prosper Keyo went close late in the half for Potters Bar, while Cray lost their way with their only attempt coming when Hallard’s free kick hit the wall.
The second half saw the visitors start brightly and they extended their lead on 53 minutes when Keyo’s cross shot from the right deflected off Adams into the net leaving Rowley with no chance.
Going into the hour mark The Wands rallied and got back into the game. The lively Wands sub Enoch Muwonge set up George Brooke who hit the post with his low drive from the edge of the area. Brooke was also then denied by Rushton who saved at his feet when he broke into the box.
After a delay in play for an injury to Leigh Rose, Cray pulled a goal back when Gary Lockyer latched on to an Emmanuel Kwathcey cross and volleyed home from 20 yards out to make it 1-2.
Lockyer then set up Brooke who shot over as play opened up end to end. In the eight minutes of injury time Rushton was injured as he collided with the post under a challenge from Lockyer, but he got back up to see the game out and the visitors had the last chance of the match when Ore Bello grazed the top of the bar with a shot from a tight angle.
Neil Smith side now travel to Haringey Borough on Saturday hoping to get back to winning ways.
Cray Wands – Rowley, Kwatchey, Holland, Bonner, Wood (Muwonge 51), Raymond, Beere (Evans 78), Brown (Porter 63), Hallard, Brooke, Lockyer.
Subs Not Used: Murrell-Williamson, Black.
Potters Bar – Rushton, Fernandes, Keyo. Pascal, Aidoo (Braithwaite 71), Rose, Adams (Bello 83), Adaja, Hayles (Jessop 58), Henry, Babalola.
Subs Not Used: Cojocarel, Hutchinson.
Goals; CWFC- Lockyer 86mins. PBTFC – Adams 18 & 53mins
HT 0-1. FT 1-2
Att: 163
Referee: Joseph Turnpenny