A dramatic late comeback from Cray, sealed with an injury time penalty, saw The Wands grab a point from a game that looked to have got away from them just after the hour against fellow play off challengers Whyteleafe.

The game got off to a lively start with both sides creating early chances, Jay leader headed a chance wide for the home side and they had a corner cleared off the line, while Whyteleafe’s Andrew Mensah fired just wide at the other end. A strong run from Ben Mundele set up Cray debutant Sherwin Stanley, but his goal bound effort was blocked as the visitor’s defence stood strong.

Leafe grew stronger as the half went on and they went in front on 25 minutes when Ibrahim Akanbi created space in midfield before unleashing a superb 30 yard drive that flew into the back of the net giving Nicky Blue no chance in the home goal.

Whyteleafe dominated the closing stages of the half pinning Cray back in their own half and cutting off the supply to their wide men, much to their frustration.

The second half saw Cray start much more on the front foot, but they struggled to turn possession into chances and it was the visitors who had the best opportunities with Scott Day having one effort saved and sending another over the bar.

Just after the hour mark Leafe doubled their lead when a superb ball from Sam Olayton found Andrew Menash at the far post and he powered his header past Blue for 2-0.

For a spell play became broken up with a series of fouls and yellow cards, before Cray finally got going again. Lea Dawson headed a Lee Prescott free kick just wide and Sol Taiwo had a free kick tipped over the bar by Daly Brannon, with Dane Luchford’s effort from the corner saved.

The Wands kept pressing and finally got a break through on 77 minutes when Brannon came out of his area to block Luchford’s shot only for the rebound to fall to Stanley who coolly picked his spot from 30 yards out and guiding the ball into the empty net.

Tony Russell’s side kept going and finally broke the solid Whyteleafe defence in injury time when Karl Dent drove into the box and went down under Olumide Olunatimilhin’s challenge which Referee Farrar deemed to be enough to award a penalty.

Taiwo stepped up to slot the spot kick home to level the scores, much to the annoyance of the visitors. Cray continued to press for a winner in injury time, but Dent’s late effort flew over the bar from distance and the sides shared the points.

Cray are back in FA Trophy action on Sunday at Hayes Lane when they entertain Ryman Premier side Worthing hoping to carry on from where they left off in the final fifteen minutes tonight.

 

Cray: Blue, Osifuwa, Osibodu, Leader, McKinlay (Taiwo 67), Dawson, Prescott (Roberts 80), Dent, Stanley, Mundele (Luchford 64), Scott.

Subs Not Used: Law, Green.

Whyteleafe: Brannon, Collins, Penfold, Grant (Olunatimilhin 32), Roberts, Scarborough, Akanbi (D’Sane 81), Bentley, Mensah, Day, Clayton (Hamlin 85).

Subs Not Used: Johnstone, Ibikunle.

HT 0-1 FT 2-2

Goals: Cray – Stanley 77, Taiwo 90 pen. Leafe – Akanbi 25, Mensah 61mins.

Att: 115

Ref: Mr S Farrar