Guernsey were made to work hard for a well-earned point at Footes Lane as they ground out a 0-0 stalemate against a strong Cray Wanderers side on Wednesday night.

The visitors had more of the ball and tested Chris Tardif a handful of times, but the Green Lions kept their discipline and shape and created the best of the chances – so in the end a point was a fair result as the Sarnians got stronger as the game progressed.

The away side were on the front foot in the opening exchanges but GFC created the first chances – both from Dave Rihoy in the space of a couple of minutes. Good work between Dom Heaume and Tom De La Mare led to the latter crossing from the left of the penalty area. The ball dropped to Rihoy on the corner of the six yard box and his looping volley flew just over.

He had an almost identical chance within moments, this time volleying over from a more central position six yards out after Kyle Smith had done superbly to charge down Wands’ keeper Nick Blue’s clearance.

Then play swung down the other end as Cray’s Jonte Smith went through on goal, but Chris Tardif rushed out and spread himself to block brilliantly. The rebound fell to Karl Dent on the edge of the area with just a couple of defenders on the line, but the winger’s shot was deflected wide. From the resulting corner, Taylor McDonagh headed narrowly over.

Cray were well in the ascendency now and centre-back Paul Lorraine drove forward and played a one-two to get himself through on goal. Yet again. Tardif was out quickly to smother the chance at his near post. A few minutes later, a low pot shot from Jonte Smith went harmlessly wide.

Kyle Smith came within inches of registering his first strike for the Green Lions on his 10th appearance from the club. A strong run into the penalty area past several defenders created a gap for him to shot from the corner of the six-yard box. But Blue rushed out and got a touch to it, taking the pace off it and allowing Jay Leader just enough time to hook the ball off the line.

Unfortunately that was to be the last significant action for Smith, who landed awkwardly when jumping for a header shortly before half-time. He was forced off the field to be replaced by Marc McGrath. We hope it is not as serious as it first look and that the young forward makes a speedy recovery after a promising start to the season.

It took 10 minutes of the second half for the game to spark into life again. McGrath’s low curling free-kick forced Blue to fling himself to his left and beat the ball away as it headed for the bottom corner.

Five minutes later, Bucktrouts man-of-the-match Craig Young found space on the right-corner of the penalty area after good work by substitute Matt Loaring – who had replaced the injured Tom De La Mare at half-time as the casualties mounted – but the 2015/16 coaches’ player of the year’s shot was deflected and struck the crossbar.

A low shot eight minutes later from Young was gathered comfortably at the near post by Blue.

The game got more stretched towards the end and with just over 10 minutes to go, Liam Mahon burst forward and found space to shoot in search of his first goal for the club. But as he let fly, Jay Leader slid in to make a brilliant last-ditch block.

Cray substitute Anthony Adesite got himself on the end of a deflected cross on 81 minutes, but he was perhaps surprised the ball reached him in the six-yard box and he headed over.

That was the last of the action and the Green Lions have a point on the board in Ryman South ahead of Thamesmead Town’s FA Cup visit on Saturday.

Guernsey: Chris Tardif (c), Simon Geall, Tom De La Mare (Matt Loaring 46), Sam Cochrane, Alex Le Prevost, Robbie Legg, Dave Rihoy, Liam Mahon (Ryan-Zico Black 87), Dom Heaume, Kyle Smith (Marc McGrath 43), Craig Young. Not used: Leroi Riley, Thomas Dodds.

Booked: Cochrane, Legg, Young.

Cray Wanderers: Nick Blue, Taylor McDonagh, Tim Osibodu, Jay Leader, Paul Lorraine, Lea Dawson (c), Brendan Scott (Anthony Adesite 60), Soloman Taiwo (Max Williams 78), Jonte Smith, Lee Prescott, Karl Dent (Joe Ledgister 84). Not used : Jai McKinley. 

Booked: Leader, Lorraine.