Another dramatic late comeback from Cray saw them score three goals in the last eight minutes to grab three points from a game that looked to have gone away from them when they trailed 2-0 to a Chipstead team who will rightly feel disappointed to have left Hayes Lane with nothing.

Cray started the game brightly with Brandon Scott having an effort cleared off the line by Tommy Smith after a strong run from the right, but the visitors also created good chances with Raheem Sterling-Parker putting a good chance wide of the target.

Scott combined well with Danny Haynes to set up Lea Dawson whose shot was saved by former Cray keeper Luke Colquhoun. Colquhoun was on hand again soon after to save from Dawson again as The Wands captain connected with a Jay Leader knock down from another corner.

As the half went on Chipstead grew in confidence and put Cray under pressure, closing down their passing game and pressing from the front. Sterling-Parker had a shot blocked by Leader before Wands keeper Nicky Blue was hurt bravely saving at the feet of Karl Parker.

Scott had a shot deflected wide by Chris O’Flaherty before the away side snatched the lead two minute from the break. Ade Osifuwa was judged to have fouled Vernon Francis deep in the Chips half and the free kick was sent 70 yards up the pitch by O’Flaherty catching both Leader and Jai McKinlay out which let Sterling-Parker nip in behind them to coolly slot the ball past Blue for 1-0.

Just before the break Chipstead nearly made it two when Callum Maclean’s curling free kick cannoned back off the bar as was cleared away.

The second half saw Chipstead press from the kick off, Maclean had a header saved by Blue from a corner before Cray started to look more positive with the introduction of Dane Luchford to the midfield.

Karl Dent fired a powerful shot just over and Scott set up Haynes who was denied by a great double save from Colquhoun. Sol Taiwo then sent in a fine dead ball for Dawson who headed wide across goal before the visitors went 2-0 up in controversial circumstances.

A long ball up field saw McKinlay clearly pushed in the back challenging for a header, but Referee Killip waved play on and Sterling-Parker ran clear to brilliantly place the ball past Blue just past the hour mark.

The Wands were stung into action by the decision, suddenly the passing became crisper and more accurate and the work rate increased. Scott setup Dent who was denied by Colquhoun and Haynes set up Scott who was also denied by the former Wands custodian.

Dent was denied again soon after, before Scott had an effort cleared by Smith after another strong run in from the right. Then with eight minutes left Cray pulled a goal back when Luchford headed home from a corner and only two minutes later they drew level when Haynes brought down a superb Jay Siva pass in the box before turning sharply and with great footwork found the corner of the net for 2-2.

With Chipstead stunned Haynes set up Scott who hit the inside of the post before The Wands went in front on 89 minutes as Taiwo found Dawson in the area and the captain twisted and turned to create space allowing him to finish with a low drive into the corner of the net.

In the six minutes of injury time that followed The Chips had one good chance to equalise, but Dan Cumber headed a deep free kick just wide of the target and The Wands held out for the most unlikeliest of wins.

Tony Russell’s side now sit just three points off the play off sports with a game in hand going into another home league game on Wednesday night against Horsham.

 

Cray: Blue, Mundele (Osifuwa 16), Siva, Leader, McKinlay (Roberts 68), Dawson, Taiwo, Prescott (Luchford 52), Haynes, Dent, Scott.

Subs Not Used: Osibodu, Law.

Chipstead: Colquhoun, Smith, O’Flaherty, Francis, Aldous, Maclean, Hastings (Henry 86), Cumber, Sterling-Parker, Parker (Quiassa 75), Simpson.

Subs Not Used: Betancourt, Higgins, Stone.

Goals: Cray – Luchford 82, Haynes 84, Dawson 89mins. Chisptead – Sterling-Parker 43 & 63mins.

Ref: Mr P Killip

HT 0-1 FT 3-2

Att: