Cray’s play off hopes suffered a blow as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to fellow challengers Thurrock in a hugely entertaining game where both sides had spells of dominance, but the visitors just edged it.
Despite missing several players with injury and others playing out of position Cray started the game brightly as Jacob Erskine played in Karl Dent whose ball across the face of goal skidded wide.
The Wands quick passing move saw Ade Osifuwa upended by Ross Gleed, but Grant Basey’s free kick was cleared away. Erskine had a goalbound shot blocked and after a series of corners Jay Leader headed over.
Aryan Tajabkhsh hit a fierce drive which was well saved by Rhys Madden, before The Wands spell of pressure started to slip. As the half went on Thurrock rallied, Gleed sent a dangerous ball across the area which Junior Baker just failed to get a touch to, then Gleed forced a save from Nicky Blue and Ross Wall fired wide.
James Duckworth went close for Cray, but Fleet finished stronger with Lewis Clark heading wide from a corner, Wall having a header saved and Harry Agumbar was also denied by Blue.
The second half got off to a fast paced start, but neither side could turn their attacks into real chances until the 58th minute when Thurrock were awarded a penalty.
Osifuwa made a rare slip bringing down Remi Sutton with a clumsy challenge in the box as the visitors left back surged into the area. Fleet took advantage of the opportunity as Agumbar sent Blue the wrong way to make it 1-0.
Sean Roberts set up Tajbakhsh as Cray tried to respond, but the all action midfielder drove the ball wide from 25 yards.
Thurrock then went on to dominate for a spell, Wall hit the post with a curling effort from distance, the ball coming out to Gleed who put the rebound over. Michael Toner and Gleed went close again before Thurrock made it 2-0 on 69 minutes when a deep corner was met by Charlie Cole who powered his header home in a crowded six yard box.
Cray picked themselves up and started to battle back into things from here, Roberts set up Leigh Bremner who shot wide, Ben Hunt headed wide from a corner and he also hooked another chance over.
Then with three minutes left The Wands got a breakthrough as Duckworth charged into the box and coolly slotted the ball into the far corner of the net.
From then on a frantic few minutes followed Basey sent in a dangerous free kick which Lea Dawson headed narrowly wide and from another set piece Leigh Bremner hit the post.
Then in injury time Hunt had a goal disallowed for offside, the striker just straying off as he latched on to more good work from Bremner.
In the end Thurrock held on for the three points and Cray will have to regroup and hope to get a few players back fit for the trip to Barkingside on Saturday.
Cray: Blue, Osifuwa, Roberts, Basey, Leader, Dawson, Tajbakhsh (Mascoll 69), Dent (Bremner 72), Erskine (Hunt 63), Duckworth, Freiter.
Subs Not Used: McKinlay, Faulkner.
Thurrock: Madden, Morgan, Clark, Baker, Sutton, Toner, Agumbar, Gleed (Spence 77), Wall, Cole (Winn 73), Cowley.
Subs Not Used: Wheatley, Olafunmisi, Francis.
Goals: Cray – Duckworth 87mins. Thurrock – Agumbar 58pen, Cole 69mins.
HT 0-0 FT 1-2
Att: 117
Referee: Mr J Packman