Cray Wanderers 2-1 Sittingbourne

Missing from the Sittingbourne line up was Joe Dowley and Andy Doerr, both injured during the midweek match at Bath City. In came Lee Hockey and Jon Neal, writes Peter Pitts.

That Cray came away with all three points is more down to Sittingbourne missing good opportunities than inventiveness by Cray, although it must be said though that Cray's two goals were beauties whilst Sittingbourne's, although well worked, was an own goal.

Sittingbourne worked hard to put Tuesday nights disappointing result in the FA Trophy behind them and it looked as though they would get at least a point when with just five minutes to go they were awarded a penalty for handball in the area.

Up stepped Mark Lovell to take the kick but the effort was straight at keeper Steve Northwood who blocked the kick and then he and the Cray defence did even better to block a follow up effort and then clear the ball.

Cray Wanderers looked lively early on, a snapshot by Ross Lover after just two minutes was easily held by Brickies keeper Steve Williams but five minutes later a Kieran Marsh ground shot was easily held by Northwood.

But Sittingbourne found their stride and a Toby Ashmore pass was missed by a defender, the ball finding its way to Lovell who cut inside well but sent his shot screaming over the bar.

Then a poor Wanderers corner was cleared up-field to Mitchell Sherwood who found an unmarked Lovell but again the Brickies striker couldn't find the target and sent the ball over.

Cray weren't having a much better time and a snap shot from a corner didn't trouble Williams whilst a free kick curled well wide.

On 26 minutes the failure to find the target continued, this time Lewis Wood was the culprit when he blasted over.

Three minutes later though Cray took the lead when the ball was crossed to Jamie Wood who let fly with a stunning shot that Williams could do little about.

Sittingbourne responded within five minutes as excellent work by Lovell ended in a pass to the right which found Steve Searle, Searle ran up the right wing and sent in a stinging cross that Colin Luckett attempted to chest back to his keeper but instead he only managed to put the ball into his own net and the Brickies were back on level terms.

The second half began with a header by veteran Gary Abbott going wide but it wasn't long before Sittingbourne were carving out chances themselves and on 49 minutes a Marsh shot was easily held by Northwood.

Six minutes later Cray Wanderers had a good chance themselves when a cross fell at Abbott's feet but he tripped over his feet and the ball trickled to Williams.

Kieran Marsh was now getting into good positions and a minute later he was presented with a good chance by Lovell but he sent his shot wide.

Sittingbourne were on top now but continued to disappoint in the final third.

Lee Browning was getting more adventurous taking on and beating players and on 56 minutes he sent in a curling effort but didn't really get hold of it.

Sittingbourne seemed to have left their shooting boots at home and Marsh was the culprit again on 61 minutes this time not really getting hold of the ball and it too trickled to Northwood.

Browning though almost scored on 65 minutes when this time he connected beautifully to send in a curler but the ball struck the right hand post and rebounded to safety.

A minute later Cray showed the Brickies how to do it when against the run of play they re-took the lead as Leigh Bremner connected brilliantly with a cross with a shot that gave Williams no time to even move.

As could perhaps be expected after such a glorious strike Cray now came back into the game and Williams had to come out smartly to block an effort by Wood.

But chances were still coming for Sittingbourne and on 76 minutes a good looking Sittingbourne move ended in Kam Singh back heeling the ball to Marsh but the Brickies captain's aim was again askew and the effort went wide.

It looked as though Sittingbourne were going to salvage a point on 85 minutes when a Cray player handled in the area but the Lovell penalty miss meant that time and the Brickies 8 match unbeaten league record ran out.

Cray Wanderers: Northwood, Matty, Luckett, Hannigan, Gardner (Baker 83), Morris, Lover, L Wood, Abbott (Whelan 62), Bremner, J Wood, Subs: Young, Hammond, Ether

Sittingbourne: Williams, Ashmore, Hockey, Ainsworth, Searle, Marsh, Browning, Gooding, Lovell, Neal (Singh 73), Sherwood, Subs: Spiller, Nicholl, Stephens, Elder