Despite going into a 2-0 lead Tommy Warrilow’s new look Cray Wanderers suffered more late heartbreak against play off chasing Brentwood who scored two goals in the last ten minutes as the home side once again ran out of legs in the final quarter.

On a beautiful January afternoon with the sun shining on Hayes Lane it looked like it was going to be a fine day for The Wands to start turning round their fortunes and fight against relegation.

Fielding seven recent signings Cray took a while to settle and the visitors from Essex had two early chances Sam Bantick and Tom Richardson both forced saved from Lewis Moore.

Cray finally got going with Moses Ashikodi having a shot blocked before with the next attack they took the lead when Warren Whitely set up Adrian Stone to sweep the ball home from just outside the six yard box.

Martyn Stokes hit the post for Brentwood as they tried to pull level, but Cray were soon two up when Nathan Simpson surged up field down the left and crossed for Ashikodi who poked the ball home through a crowd of players.

With Chris Piper providing more stability and distribution in midfield things were looking good for The Wands, the visitors began to look rattled and launched a few very physical challenges, but as the half drew on legs began to tire and Brentwood began to dominate.

After a series of corners Richardson drove the ball low under Moore from the edge of the box to make it 2-1 and they came close to levelling things up before the break.

Sherwin Stanley had a shot saved by Moore from close range, Robbie Rees fired over, Richardson headed wide when well placed and Bantick hit a fierce free kick from 25 yards that Moore did brilliantly to tip wide of the post.

The second half got off to a scrappy start CJ Williams made a brave block to deny Bantick’s volley and Bantcick also headed a good chance wide, while for the home side Ashikodi scuffed the ball wide after a superb run into the box.

As the game became more stretched Stanley fired wide, Rees hit the side netting with a free kick and Moore saved from Bantick. Cray were pressed further back and began to look very fatigued, not helped by a poor offside decision The Wands were caught out by a quick free kick that saw Stanley pick the ball up and cross for Richardson to power the ball home for 2-2.

Almost out on their feet the killer blow came for Cray on 85 minutes when they lost possession in midfield and Stanley raced clear before coolly placing the ball past Moore to make it 2-3.

The Wands mustered one last chance when Ashikodi back heeled the ball in a packed six yard box only for it to narrowly drift past the post. A series of Cray corners in injury time came to nothing as Brentwood saw the game out and took all the points.

There were plenty of signs for optimism in The Wands display and this result was harsh on them, but whether this improvement has come too late to save them this season remains to be seen.

 

Cray: Moore, Griffin, Simpson, Fakinos, Williams, Stevens (Springett 81), Piper, Stavrinou (Marshall-Katung 54), Ashikodi, Stone, Whitely.

Subs Not Used: Kedze, Pass, Isa.

Brentwood: Bowles, Gardner (Mbulu 87), Baucutt, Stokes, O’Rawe, Ress, Love, Robson (McFarlane 75), Stanley, Richardson, Bantick.

Subs Not Used: Milner, Rooke.

Goals: Cray – Stone 19, Ashikodi 29mins. Brentwood – Richardson 42, 80, Stanley 85mins.

Ref: Mr A Neil

Attendance: 141