A slightly under par Cray Wanderers were no match for play off chasing Hastings at a sunny Hayes Lane on Sunday with United recording an impressive win which moved them into the top five.
The visitors started the game brighter with Harry Stannard going close with a header and Mat Bodkin forcing a save from Nicky Blue.
United went in front on 9 minutes when Danny Leonard finish a mazy solo run with a cool finish low into the corner of the net.
Cray battled their way into things from there with Danny Haynes missing a great chance from a header when he nodded Brandon Scott’s cross just wide of the far post.
The Wands did pull level though on 23 minutes when Haynes set up Karl Dent who showed great footwork to create space in the box and slide the ball past Ryan Nicholls to equalise.
Hastings then had another good spell of pressure which eventually saw Bodkin cross for Frannie Collin who headed home un-marked to make it 2-1 on 33 minutes.
United nearly made it three soon after when Bodkin hit a fierce free kick from 25 yards that Blue did well to tip over the bar. Just before half time Haynes was just off target again and The Wands went in trailing.
The second half started with Haynes going close for The Wands while Stannard was just off target for Hastings.
The key goal came just before the hour mark when Bodkin crossed for Stannard who finish low into the corner of the net giving Blue no chance.
As Cray rallied again Scott created a good chance for himself but was unable to keep his effort on target and he almost pulled one back soon after when latching on to a long ball, but his chip over the advancing keeper bounced wide.
Bodkin went close for the visitors before the game drifted with the heat a factor in slowing things down.
In injury time Bradley Stevenson fired wide for United before Collin made it 4-1 when he smashed home a shot from range to cap an impressive win for Hastings.
Cray now have three more games to play this season starting with a trip to Three Bridges on Friday and then an Easter Monday derby against Greenwich Borough at Hayes Lane.
Cray: Blue, Mundele, Osibodu, McKinlay, Lorraine (Medley 52), Roberts, Dawson, Prescott, Dent, Scott, Haynes (Henry 64).
Subs Not Used: Guthrie, Lazzarri, Adesite.
Hastings: Nicholls, Butcher, Crutwell, Emptage, Sobers, Rowe, Bodkin (Kiernan 90), Johnson, Stannard (Barnwell 81), Collin, Leonard.
Subs No Used: Smith, Akoto, Stevenson.
Goals: Cray – Dent 23mins. Hastings: Leonard 9, Collin 33 & 90, Stannard 59mins.
HT 1-2 FT 1-4
Att: 321
Ref: Mr E Swallow