Cray took their winning run to four consecutive games and narrowed the gap on the teams just above them as their fight against relegation gained even more momentum with a hard fought win over Great Wakering Rovers.
In blustery conditions both sides struggled to keep the ball on the pitch at first, but it was The Wands who got the ball down and played more football with Chris Piper having a half volley saved by Adam Seal.
The visitors best early chance came when Ellis Sands’ free kick caught Luke Colquhoun off guard, but the young keeper managed to scramble back and tip the ball over the bar.
Great Wakering lost their young forward Tom Ranger to a serious injury soon after as he slid at the far post. Cray seized the advantage on 24 minutes when Orlando Smith set up Piper who showed great composure to control the ball in a crowded box, find space and pass the ball into the net.
With the visitors shaken The Wands made it two on 32 minutes when Nick Humphrey sent in a cross shot that deflected into the net for 2-0.
Late on Colquhoun saved well from a Tony Jacobs shot and Smith was just off target for Cray as play opened up.
The second half saw Cray start well with Piper shooting narrowly wide, but Great Wakering rallied and pulled a goal back on 57 minutes when John Bradley cut in from the right and chipped Colquhoun from a tight angle to make it 2-1.
The visitors began to look the better side as Cray seem to lose their way and they built attacking momentum with Tom Stickland latching on to a free kick and firing just wide of the post.
Tommy Warrilow changed to a 4-5-1 formation for the final fifteen minutes to try and shore things up at the back, which in turn invited Great Wakering to attack even more.
Jay Nash missed a great chance to equalise with ten minutes to go when he broke free into the box, but managed to knock the ball over the bar with the keeper to beat.
The Wands then held out under series of set pieces and then in injury time young sub Tom Ayotomiwa broke up field carrying the ball 70 yards and beating three defenders before sending over a perfect cross to Piper who showed all his experience to beat Seal from ten yards and complete a massive win for Cray.
The Wands now travel to second placed Harlow on Saturday, before taking on Chatham Town in a massive Kent derby relegation clash on Easter Monday at Hayes Lane.
Cray walked on and off the pitch to the theme tune of The Great Escape and if they continue this form it just might happen.
Cray: Colquhoun, Orome, Simpson, Fakinos, Humphrey, Pass (Fitzgerald 60), Whiteley (Ayotomiwa 60), Piper, Stone, Smith (Springett 77), Hill.
Subs Not Used: Griffin, Teniola.
GWRFC: Seal, Pugsley, Worrell, Sands, Sparrow, Skelton, Bradley, Ranger (Stickland 17), Jacobs (Skeels 57), Radley.
Subs Not Used: Hepburn, Trenkel.
Goals: Cray – Piper 24 & 90, Humphrey 24mins. GWRFC – Bradley 57mins.
HT 2-0 FT 3-1.
Att: 88
Referee: Mr S Scott