Despite playing for 80 minutes with ten men, Cray salvaged a point from this six goal thriller against Bury Town at Hayes Lane on Saturday which sees them stay top of the table by four points.

After a cagey start it was the visitors who got the first break on goal and as Ollie Hughes raced to the edge of the box Ben Payne was just off with his sliding tackle bringing the striker down and receiving a red card for his troubles after just ten minutes.

Bradley Barber’s resulting free kick sailed just wide, before The Wands boss Tony Russell brought on defender Dean Carpenter and went with one up front.

Cray responded brilliantly and went in front on 15 minutes when Ade Osifuwa and Michael Freiter combined to set up Onome Sodje to head home from close range.

The ten men continued to hit Bury on the break with James Duckworth hitting the post with a cross shot soon after.

Hughes missed a couple of chances for the visitors and had another well saved by Nicky Blue, while The Wands had a series of corners that ended with Sodje having a close range effort saved by Neil O’Sullivan.

Then late in the half Bury built some momentum and with Cray giving the ball away too much by over playing in tight situations Justin Miller unleashed a spectacular 25 yard shot which sailed past Blue to make it 1-1 at the half.

Cray came out attacking in the second half and were punished for pushing too many players forward when on the break Bury forced a corner and Ollie Canfer headed home to make it 1-2 on 48 minutes.

Sam Reed had two shots deflected wide for the Suffolk side, before The Wands rallied again, Duckworth hitting one long ranger wide and sending in another dangerous free kick which O’Sullivan turned over the bar.

From the corner Lea Dawson headed wide and as they continued to press Sodje latched on to Sean Roberts pass only for O’Sullivan to save bravely at his feet.

Then with Cray still pushing Bury hit them on the break again with Barber sending in a perfect low cross for Reed to convert from six yards making it 1-3 on the hour.

The Wands responded again though with Duckworth’s shot parried by O’Sullivan to Freiter who pulled it back to 2-3 only three minutes later.

With the game stretched and huge gaps appearing in midfield Lewis Tozer did brilliantly to deny Canfer with a timely block in the six yard box, while Hughes crossed for Craig Nurse whose shot was well saved by Blue.

Blue was on hand again to deny Hughes when one on one and Tozer was lucky only to be booked when he slipped just inside his own half and handled the ball as Bury looked to break.

Late on Cray found one more reserve of energy to press for an equaliser and they were gifted a penalty on 86 minutes when James Patterson brought down Osifuwa in the box who had troubled him with his pace and skill all afternoon.

Former Charlton defender Basey stepped and coolly slotted home the spot kick to make it 3-3.

In injury time Barber headed a good chance wide from a corner for the visitors, but for their sheer determination and spirit Cray deserved a point for their efforts from this cracker of a game.

The Wands face Haringey Borough at home on Tuesday night looking to extend their lead at the top and continue a fine run of form.

 

Cray: Blue, Osifuwa, Basey, Tozer, Payne, Dawson, Roberts, Tajabkhsh (Carpenter 10), Sodje (Bremner 63), Duckworth (Ibemere 77), Freiter.

Subs Not Used: Powell, Moore.

Bury: O’Sullivan, Allen, Patterson, Kennedy (De’ath 28), Miller, Weavers, Canfer (Garrett 88), Steed (Nurse 51), Hughes, Barber, Reed.

All subs used.

Goals: Cray – Sodje 15, Freiter 63, Basey 86mins. Bury – Miller 44, Canfer 48, Reed 60mins.

HT 1-1, FT 3-3.

Att: 151

Referee: Mr C Pearse