Goal: Power 51'.

This game was supposed to be a complete mismatch and not many gave Guernsey a single hope against title-chasing Cray Wanderers, but the Green’ Lions tactical discipline and dogged determination – that has been missing in recent weeks – almost earned them a point at Footes Lane on Saturday.

Few people gave a recently-leaky Green Lions defence a hope against the nation’s top scorers – at least in the top eight levels of English football – and many were expecting a heavy goal haul in the visitors’ favour.

Perhaps foreseeing such an outcome, Tony Vance set up his side to be compact, to defend deep, keep their shape and frustrate their hosts. And for the most part, the plan worked to perfection as his players carried out their instructions to the letter – Callum Stanton had very few big saves to make – only to be thwarted by a controversial goal early in the second half that proved to be enough for Cray to go temporarily top of the Bostik South table.

Vance reverted to four at the back, with a deep-lying midfield five, leaving Paris Pereira to plough a lone furrow up front.

It meant few clear-cut chances throughout the match, although Mitchell Nelsen glanced a header wide from a corner inside three minutes and Stanton dived right to parry a half-volley wide, after another corner had dropped on the edge of the area. An important block form Simon Geall and Sarnian bodies throwing themselves in the way of a goalmouth scramble also kept the visitors at bay in the first 20 minutes.

Despite those early chances, Cray were struggling to properly breakdown the Green Lions’ rear-guard, and there was nearly half-an-hour on the clock before Dean Carpenter’s turn and shot from range had Stanton scrambling as it whistled wide – although the Bournemouth loanee had it covered had it been on target.

A momentary lapse in the GFC defence did allow Karl Dent’s through-ball to send Wands top scorer Michael Power into the area. But the number nine didn’t get his foot around the ball as he scuffed it harmlessly into the side netting.

Cray did have the ball in the net on 34 minutes as Brandon Scott bundled home from close range, but the referee ruled it out having spotted Power’s overzealous attempt to stop Stanton catching the initial cross.

The rest of the half played out without incident as Guernsey stood strong, and as the second began, an early chance fell for Power, but again he scruffed it – this time straight to the grateful Stanton from six yards following Frederico’s pullback. – a sitter.

However, that was a warning shot ahead of worse to come on 51 minutes – albeit in circumstances that left the Guernsey defence and fans in the Garenne Stand furious.

Ben Mundele received the ball from Frederico and swung the ball into the area, where Power was free to flick it on into the corner with his head. The GFC backline were adamant that Power had moved into an offside position, a yard beyond last man Jacob Fallaize, before Mundele struck the ball. The replay suggested they had a point, but the assistant referee kept his flag down and the goal stood.

At times this season, one goal has been the catalyst for a defensive collapse, and so there were fears that the floodgates may open. But it proved not to be as Vance’s side remained resolute and for a few fleeting moments looked like that could nick something.

But they had to suffer a couple more close calls first, with Stanton holding Carpenter’s low curler as Cray recycled a corner, and an offside decision this time going in the Green Lions’ favour to deny Fredirico as he tapped into an empty net, with the assistant ruling that Power had made enough of a move towards the ball before leaving it for Brandon Scott to cross for him to be deemed as interfering with play.

Dom Heaume’s introduction from the bench had a huge impact as Guernsey lifted their game. He provided an aerial threat with his flick-ons and pressure from the Sarnian forward line forced one or two sloppy errors.

Jacob Fallaize strode out of defence with the ball and teed up Pereira for a shot which was blocked by a defender. The ball soon came back into the box via a high cross. Heaume nodded it down and Fallaize was inches away from connecting with it for a shot had it not been for a vital toepoke away by a defender. A shot from Thomas Dodds was also blocked in this mini spell of pressure from the Green Lions.

There was still time for more Cray efforts as Power flicked a header over the bar and Nelson did similar after getting across the near post at a corner.

Even Stanton came up to challenge from a corner in the dying seconds as Guernsey tried to snatch something, and came close to making contact with Young’s delivery, but ultimately GFC’s efforts were in vain as they suffered a fourth straight loss.

But this time at least there is not such a bitter taste in the mouth and the mood ahead of a tough midweek trip to Thamesmead Town is somewhat lifted in comparison to last week. 

Guernsey remain 20th in the table with the other Bostik South results as follows: Chipstead 0-1 Lewes, Corinthian-Casuals 0-0 Hythe Town, East Grinstead Town 1-0 Ramsgate, Faversham Town 2-1 Molesey, Greenwich Borough 1-0 Herne Bay, Shoreham 0-2 Phoenix Sports, Sittingbourne 2-0 Hastings United, South Park 2-1 Thamesmead Town, VCD Athletic 1-4 Carshalton Athletic, Walton Casuals 4-0 Ashford United, Whyteleafe 0-2 Horsham.

Cray Wanderers: Nick Blue, Ben Mundele, Barney Williams, Jay Leader, Mitchell Nelson, Lee Dawson (c), Dean Carpenter, Karl Dent (Michael Frieter 89'), Michael Power (Charlie MacDonald 64'), Jerome Frederico, Brandon Scott (Ralique Lawrence 89'). Not used: Zak Henry, Marcus Evans.

Booked: Frederico.