Cray’s impressive recent run for form came to an end in the mud at Hayes Lane where they were beaten by a strong Lewes side who adapted better to the conditions and scored three very good goals.

It was a credit to the hard work of the Groundsman Ian Jordan that this game went ahead at all and with both sides on the edge of the play off positions there was a lot to play for.

It was the visitors who looked more likely to take advantage early on when they pressured the home defence into numerous mistakes. Jack Dixon went close after intercepting an under hit pass, before another misplaced ball across the defence let in Stephen Okoh who smashed home the first goal on 4 minutes. Lewes’ high press on the Cray back four continued to rattle the home team with Dixon going close again before Nick Blue pulled off good saves from Jonte Smith and James Hammond, while Okoh was also just off target too.

Cray finally settled into the game after 20 minutes and started to create some half chances with Sean Roberts and Leigh Bremner forcing saves from Chris Winterton. Going into the break The Wands had the better of things, but the hard working Rooks defence gave them no time or space around the box with the only real chance falling to Tim Osibodo who headed Jay Leader’s cross wide of the goal.

The second half saw Cray start well, but Lewes had the closest chance when Charlie Coppolla put a long range curling effort just wide of the post. In form Cray striker Luke Medley finally got chances on goal and fired over twice from just outside the box before Grant Basey’s deep ball was headed wide by Lea Dawson.

Just as The Wands looked to be close to drawing level though they were pegged further back when Lloyd Harrington hot a screamer from 30 yards that gave Blue no chance to make it 2-0 on 61 minutes. Okoh went close again straight after. Cray battled back again with Medley denied by Winterton before he pulled one back on 66 minutes when Osibodo crossed for Ben Mundele who knocked the ball down to Medley who crashed the ball home into the roof of the net from 20 yards out.

Coppolla went close twice for Lewes as they pressed one again and with legs tiring on both sides play opened up and became more direct. Bremner worked tirelessly up front for The Wands getting battered by The Rooks defence, but still challenging for every ball knocked up to him as did Medley, but they got little change from them.

The visitors pressed again and after Dixon and Smith went close Hammond put the game beyond doubt on 80 minutes when he finished off a well constructed move with a cool finish for 3-1.

The final few minutes saw Cray pile on pressure, but again they could not break through the Lewes defence, the closest they came being Bremner’s powerful drive from the edge of the box which just crept wide of the far post.

The Rooks saw the game out and took a massive step towards the play offs, while Tony Russell’s side, who were missing Dent, Haynes and Siva, will now have to regroup before their trip to Carshalton next Saturday.

Cray: Blue, Mundele, Leader, McKinlay, Basey, Dawson, Roberts (Prescott 66), Taiwo, Osibodu (Luchford 70), Bremner, Medley.

Subs Not Used: Scott, Law, Lorraine.

Lewes: Winterton, Brinkman, George, Harrington (Sow 85), Freeman, Cottton, Okoh, Dixon, Smith (Landis 89), Hammond, Coppolla (Kealy90).

Subs Not Used: Munoz.

Goals: Cray – Medley 66mins. Lewes – Okoh 4, Harrington 61, Hammond 80mins.

HT 0-1 FT 1-3

Att: 153

Ref: Mr G Ions