Tonbridge Angels reached the first round of the FA Cup for just the second time in 52 years on Saturday.

A crowd of 1,222 watched a keenly-contested fourth qualifying round derby at Cray’s new Flamingo Park ground which was settled by a second-half goal.

Isthmian Premier Cray made two changes to the side that were knocked out of the FA Trophy by Brentwood seven days earlier. Quade Taylor and Charlie Edwards replaced David Ijaha and Imran Kayani, who dropped to the bench.

Tonbridge replaced Scott Wagstaff and the suspended Crossley Lema with Jeremy Santos and Jamie Fielding from the side beaten at Slough in National League South last weekend.

The visitors enjoyed the early possession although a chance wasn’t created at either end until 16 minutes. Ryan Hanson’s long-range shot for Tonbridge was deflected wide, the midfielder then heading off target at the far post from Shaun Shields’ resulting corner.

Tonbridge were nearly gifted the lead on the half-hour. WIth the heavy rain ending, a cross from the left by Liam Vincent wasn’t cleanly gathered by keeper Shaun Rowley but he recovered his error to prevent Mo Dabre putting his side ahead.

Referee Steven Hughes had to book three Tonbridge players in the final 15 minutes of the half, VIncent, Dabre and Ronny Nelson all collecting a yellow card for late fouls.

Cray, for their part, often struggled to have an outball with lone striker Kenny Coker marshalled by three centre-backs. Frankie Raymond’s free-kick provided a moment of panic from keeper Toby Steward but he was otherwise untroubled in a goalless first half.

The space Vincent enjoyed down the left was a key feature of the first half and it continued after the break, his 50th-minute delivery clipping the top of the bar.

Cray’s Ike Orji was booked for a foul before the hosts replaced midfielder Edwards with Kayani.

It was a stop-start affair with a near five-minute delay after an injury to the assistant referee. Then Cray felt a late challenge on Quade Taylor should have been punished with a free-kick. Instead, Taylor was off the field for treatment when Tonbridge launched a long throw into the area, Nelson hooked the ball across for Jamie Fielding to fire beyond Rowley on 64 minutes.

Rowley’s clearance then hit Noel Leighton but the keeper was relieved the ball went over the bar for a goal kick.

Tonbridge substitute Trevan Robinson was denied by Rowley at the near post before a perfectly-timed tackle at the other end by Hanson stopped Cray’s Lateef Adaja from getting a clear sight of goal.

Cray staged a late rally, aided by an additional 10 minutes of stoppage time, with substitute Anthony Cook’s shot deflected onto the bar and then skipper Tom Bonner saw his last-gasp header blocked.

Cray Wanderers: Rowley, Orji, Dowrich, Taylor, Bonner, Adaja, Raymond, Clunis (Cook 88mins), Coker (Smith 73mins), Edwards (Kayani 55mins), King (Ekpiteta 90+6mins). Subs not used: Owiredu-Gyamera, Ijaha,, Huxter.

Tonbridge Angels: Steward, Hanson, Nelson, Dabre (Adigun 67mins), Leighton (Robinson 77mins), Hinds, Fielding, Vincent, Bakrin, Santos (Maloney 85mins), Shields. Subs not used: Richardson, Martin-Coward, Norburn, Clarke.

Referee: Steven Hughes.

Attendance: 1,222.