Cray’s late bid to avoid relegation gained further momentum with narrow victory over fellow strugglers Romford at Hayes Lane on Saturday thanks to early goals at the start of each half and a fine display from their keeper Luke Colquhoun.

From the kick off Cray mounted an attack towards the Romford box and as Adrian Stone flicked the ball on to Cesc Fakonis the advancing midfielder was brought down by the visitors keeper Aaron Omand.

Referee Neil immediately awarded a penalty, but showed restraint in only cautioning the fortunate custodian. Chris Piper tucked away the spot kick and The Wands were in front inside the first minute.

Romford responded with two dangerous attacks that both saw the ball clear by last ditched challenges, before play settled down.

Cray had the better of the ball throughout the half, with Piper and Warren Whiteley going close before Stone hit the underside of the bar with a header from a set piece, but neither side were able to find a way through going into the break.

The second half saw Romford come out flying and they drew level on 48 minutes when Tyrone Scarlett cut in from the left and beat Colquhoun with a well placed low drive from just inside the box.

For a second it looked like all of The Wands hard work had been undone, but they were back in front with in a minute. Orlando Smith broke down the right and his well placed cross was sit footed home by Helge Orome who had surged up field from defence to finish off the move he had started with a smart side foot from ten yards out.

The visitors went close to equalising soon after when Chris Barry headed a free kick just wide and Colquhoun made a superb fingertip save from Loui Hazlewood’s header pushing it away from under the bar.

The game was often broken up by delays for injuries as several late challenges went in from the frustrated visitors, with Rory Hill the recipient on more than one occasion.

Late on Barry had a well executed volley from the edge of the box saved by Colquhoun and the young keeper also did well to deny Ryan Imbert diverting the ball wide for a corner as the two collided challenging for a loose ball.

Cray dug in, kept their nerve and saw out the visitor’s threat to secure a vital three points and keep hope alive.

Cray now play Great Wakering Rovers at Hayes Lane on Tuesday night looking to extend their winning run to four games and put pressure on those above them.

Cray: Colquhoun, Orome, Simpson, Fakinos, Humphfrey, Pass (Springett 82), Whiteley (Teniola 70), Piper, Stone, Smith, Hill.

Subs Not Used: Griffin, Ives.

Romford: Omand, Kemp, McLeavy (Ibe 32), Ishmail (Norris 82), Cooper, Barry, Hazlewood, Seymour, Imbert, Scott (Reynolds 74), Scarlett.

Subs Not Used: Hart, Mbala.

Goals: Cray – Piper 1min PEN, Orome 49mins. Romford: Scarlett 48mins.

HT 1-0 FT 2-1.

Att: 140

Referee: Mt A Neil