After progressing through three rounds Cray Wanderers exited the FA Trophy in this local derby clash with National League South promotion challengers Dartford, conceding three goals in a seven minute spell halfway through the first half. 

Danny Kedwell was forced into several changes to his starting line up prior to the game losing Anthony Cook, Chris Dickson and Freddie Barton among others, but he was able to call on the services of Bromley loanee Sam Skeffington in midfield.

The Wands lined up in a 4-5-1 formation with Fjord Rogers leading the line.

Early on it was Rogers who had the first chance when he hit the bar with a header from a Jai Reason corner. Play flowed from end to end with both sides having good spells of pressure, Jamie Yila and Kyel Reid both seeing efforts go just off target for The Wands.

Then with Cray looking on top the visitors made the vital breakthrough on 23 minutes when Noor Husin played a superb ball through to Jake Robinson, his first shot was parried by Bailey Vose, but after Tyrique Hyde played the ball back into the area, Robinson made no mistake with his second chance, side footing the ball into the corner of the net to make it 1-0 to Dartford.

With the next attack The Darts made it 2-0 when Hyde went down in the box as Vose challenged for the ball and Referee Steven Hughes awarded a penalty. Robinson sent Vose the wrong way to make it 2-0 from the spot for Steve King’s side.

With Cray still reeling, it was soon 3-0 on the half hour mark when Michael Kedman crossed for Hyde who knocked the ball down for Danny Leonard to drill the ball home from just inside the box and give the visitors an almost unsurmountable lead.

Hyde was denied by Vose soon after with a save down the at the foot of his near post, before The Wands settled down and regrouped going into half time. 

The second half started with both teams pushing forward, Rogers firing over for the home side from range early on, while at the other end Kedman crossed for Robinson who turned the ball wide with a sliding effort.

Cray had a superb chance to get back into things when Skeffington  crossed for Yila, but he glanced his header wide of the goal when well placed.

Darts striker Emmanuel Sonupe had a shot saved and Reason saw his effort saved by Dan Wilks at the other end. With fifteen minutes to go Cray pulled a goal back when Yila went on a strong run down the left and crossed for Reid who layed the ball off to Reason who scored from the edge of the area to make it 1-3.

Dartford could have had a fourth goal soon after when Leonard crossed for Dan Roberts, but the sub managed to head the ball over from six yards out.

Andy Dury had a shot saved by Wilks as Cray continued to push for a second goal and his inswinging free kick from the left was then brilliantly tipped wide by Wilks late on. From the resulting corner there was a scramble in the box, with Cray appealing for a penalty for a foul on Reason, but the Ref waved play on and the ball was cleared to safety. 

In the end the devastating seven minute spell from Dartford in the first half was enough to win the game and see them progress through to the fourth round of the Trophy, while The Wands look to bounce back in their next Isthmian League Premier Division game at home to Margate on 27th. 

Cray: Vose, Aidoo, McCoy, Beckwith, Hanson, Drury (Desa 90), Reason, Reid, Skeffington, Yila, Rogers (Kedwell 65).

Subs Not Used: Mountain, Donkor, Hassan.

Dartford: Wilks, Wynter, Vint, Husin, Robinson (Porter 65), Hyde (Murtagh 65), Leonard, Kedman, Jebb, Sonupe (Roberts72), Clarke.

Subs Not Used: Theobolds, Odaudu.   

Goals: Cray – Reason 75mins. Darts – Robinson 23 & 25 pen, Leonard 30mins.

Ref: Mr Steven Hughes

HT 0-3 FT 1-3   

Att: 473