Solitary goal sinks United

United went into the Ryman Football League Premier Division fixture with defender Ross Sutton, pictured, in goal after regular ‘keeper Matt Armstrong-Ford pulled out through illness.

And that was to prove crucial in the final outcome because Sutton failed to deal with a routine left wing cross and Chris Saunders was left with a simple finish for the only goal during the first half.

Cray struck the crossbar in only the second minute from a Jack Clark free kick and Sutton made a good save from Alex Bentley later on in the half, while Tamer Tuna and Lee Carey went close for United.

In the second half, Tommy Whitnell missed a great chance for Cray and Sutton superbly kept out a stooping header from Leigh Bremner as a decent effort from United came to nothing.

United: Sutton, Dixon, Whitehead, Carey, Manning, Jirbandey, Ellis, Gonsalves, Tuna, Attwood, Davisson. Subs: Barham, Goldberg, Ray.

A full report will appear in Friday’s Hastings Observer.

Standings (played-points): 1 Billericay Town 32-66, 2 AFC Hornchurch 30-63, 3 Lowestoft Town 30-58, 4 Bury Town 31-56, 5 Cray Wanderers 31-54, 6 Hendon 32-53, 7 Canvey Island 31-49, 8 Kingstonian 32-48, 9 Lewes 31-47, 10 Wealdstone 29-45, 11 Met Police 28-45, 12 Concord Rangers 31-43, 13 Margate 31-42, 14 Carshalton Athletic 31-40, 15 East Thurrock United 27-38, 16 Wingate & Finchley 30-38, 17 HASTINGS UNITED 30-33, 18 Harrow Borough 30-31, 19 Leatherhead 32-30, 20 Tooting & Mitcham United 31-26, 21 Aveley 31-18, 22 Horsham 31-14.

TODAY’S OTHER SENIOR RESULTS

Sussex County League, Division 1: RYE UNITED 3 Worthing United 1; SIDLEY UNITED 0 Three Bridges 2.

Division 2: BEXHILL UNITED 2 Dorking Wanderers 0; LITTLE COMMON 1 Littlehampton Town 5; WESTFIELD 4 Wick 0.