Visitors Sittingbourne claimed a fully deserved three points at an under par Cray Valley (PM).

Both teams looked to play out from the back, but chances were few and far between. Reece Deakin held it up well for Sittingbourne’s first goal attempt but after cutting in from the left, Henry Dasofunjo fired over. At the other end, Antone Douglas hit a long-range effort that was deflected wide.

Deakin hit a first time shot that was gathered comfortably by Cray goalkeeper Chris Lewington as attacks at both ends continued to break down.

Eight minutes before the break, the Brickies went ahead. Daniel Taylor struck a fierce free kick that clattered the bar and Frank Puemo was first to the rebound to force it home.

Searching for a quick response, Connor Dymond was off target with a header from a Dan Bennett corner, but the Millers were unable to create another chance before the break.

Twice Sittingbourne captain Ben Gorham made crucial interventions as the hosts searched for an equaliser before they won a free kick in a dangerous position as they were waiting to make a substitution. Adam Coombes came on and took it himself, but it whistled just past the post.

That proved pivotal as Sittingbourne scored twice in four minutes to put the game to bed. First, they worked a good position and Abdul-Huq Osman delivered an excellent diagonal cross that Donvieve Jones tucked away for his second goal in two games.

Then Dasofunjo burst through and gave Lewington no chance with a shot that went in off the foot of the post.

Coombes hit a free kick well over and Denzel Gayle was unable to keep his shot down as Cray continued to struggle to make inroads.

Deakin had a shot that Lewington got down to save before the Millers finally worked Matthew Cafer in the Sittingbourne goal when Ade Adeyemo shot from outside the area.

With four minutes remaining, the hosts scored a consolation with an absolute screamer. From fully forty yards out, Hassan Ibrahim let fly and it flew in off the underside off the bar.

As a result of their win, Nick Davis’ team leapt into second place in the Isthmian South East league table while Cray remain in eleventh place.

Cray Valley (PM): Lewington, Samuels, Williams, Dymond, Oshilaja, Douglas (Chambers 46), Gayle, Black (Coombes 63), Adeyemo, Bennett, Ibrahim.

Unused subs: Tumkaya, Majek.

Goalscorers: Ibrahim (86)

Yellow cards: Oshilaja, Bennett, Dymond, Coombes

Sittingbourne: Cafer, McKenzie, Jones, Dythe, Puemo, Gorham, Dasofunjo, Taylor (Sartorius 68), Deakin (Chioyausiku 79), Sikirwayi, Osman.

Subs not used: Harvey, Whitton.

Goal scorers: Puemo (37), Jones (65), Dasofunjo (69)

Yellow cards: Puemo, Taylor, Osman

Referee: Craig Charles

Assistants: William Donnelly and Jordan Rant

Attendance: 120

Pictures supplied by Suman Birta.