Cray 2 v 2 Croydon Athletic

Ryman Division One

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TWO late goals rescued a point for Cray keeping their slim chances of reaching the play-offs alive, writes Jerry Dowlen.

With 80 minutes on the clock, the visitors seemed to have done enough to win a drab, wind-spoiled, game against an out-of-touch Wands.

Cray did produce the game's first chance when Leigh Bremner took a return pass from David Hall but saw his shot hit the keeper's legs.

The Croydon Rams exploited the strong wind at their backs as James Gibson slotted home following a corner-kick on 17 minutes.

Croydon debutant and former Northern Ireland under-21 international Gareth Graham chipped a free-kick over the wall and into the net seven minutes later.

It could, and maybe should, have been worse when Andy Martin was clean through but his finish was wayward.

Steve Northwood then had to tip over a shot from Eden Allen after a strong run.

The hosts were not threatening much but Gary Abbott was unlucky to see his snap-shot kicked off the line by Charlie Stagg in the 45th-minute.

Croydon might have increased their lead when Allen had a free run at goal after the restart but he rolled his cross-shot wide.

Cray's dramatic late rally began on 82 minutes when Gary Abbott fired home his 15th of the season after a huge goalmouth scramble.

Two minutes later Matt Lovell's corner-kick was back-headed by Ian Rawlings at the near post to set up Jamie Kempster for the equaliser.

Cray pressed hard for a winner but Jamie Wood shot wide from Bremner's low cross and Bremner put a header over the bar when Lovell's cross reached him.

Abbott hit the post in the Wands' very last attack.

Ian Jenkins' men travel to Fleet Town this weekend for another crucial game against opponents who also have an outside chance of reaching the play-offs.

Cray are 13th in the Ryman League Division One just five points off the play-offs but most of the teams around them have at least two games in hand.

MATCH FACTS: CRAY: Northwood; Hall; Rawlings; Gray; Lee; Taylor (Wood, 71); Power; Kempster; Abbott; Bremner; Lovell. SUBS NOT USED: Morris; Young; Khan; Baker.

ATT: 107.