Hendon's eventual comfortable 2-0 victory over Cray Wanderers at Vale Farm on Sunday afternoon saw the Greens climb to seventh in the Ryman League Premier Division. Once Jamie Busby's 53rd-minute screamer had made it 2-0 the result was rarely in doubt, but the half-time lead was definitely somewhat fortunate.

There were a couple of changes to the team which had beaten Margate in the FA Cup a week earlier, with James Parker returning in place of the unwell Pat O'Donnell and Jamie Busby starting ahead of Harry Hunt.

In the opening minute, Cray goalkeeper Jack Smelt picked up a diverted through ball and the referee ruled it to be a back-pass. The indirect free-kick was struck goalwards by Peter Dean but was deflected over the crossbar for a corner, which was eventually cleared.

Almost immediately the Wands should have taken the lead when Tommy Tyne made a break into the penalty area. His effort was parried by James Reading, but the rebound fell to the feet of Ross Lover, barely five yards from goal. He went for power rather than placement and lifted the ball over the crossbar.

Cray had two more excellent chances in the opening 25 minutes, but Leigh Bremner fired high over the bar from a good position and Tyrone Sterling put another opportunity wide of the far post. The Wands also had a couple of loud penalty appeals turned down.

Hendon meanwhile were creating only sporadic chances. A shot from Busby flew inches wide and another drive, from James Bent, went invitingly into the arms of the debutant Smelt.

The Greens' back four of Dave Diedhiou, Craig Vargas, Mark Kirby and Parker gradually got the better of the lively Tyne and Bremner and it was Cray who were forced to be more defensive. Their high flat back four did just enough to stop a few Hendon attacks, the offside flag denying Guentchev, Dean and Hamada what would otherwide have been clear runs at goal.

The problem with this tactic is that a well-timed run will undo the defence and this is what happened two minutes before half-time. Lubomir Guentchev was released down the left wing by a fine ball from Kevin Maclaren and he was too fast for Steve Aris as he ran towards goal.

Guentchev could have tried to score from a narrow angle but, instead, drew Smelt towards him and rolled the ball into the path of Yacine Hamada, who was only six yards out, almost level with the far post. Hamada had the whole goal to aim at, which was just as well, given his the tentative prod at the ball.

It rolled at an agonisingly slow pace just inside the near post, rather surprising a number of Greens fans, who expected it to miss the target altogether. This was Hamada's first competitive goal for Hendon.

A controversial offside flag at the start of the second half denied Tyne an equaliser, especially as it transpired that it was Bremner who was the offender. It proved a key moment in the game because, five minutes later, Hendon doubled their advantage.

This time there was no questioning the quality of the contact by the goalscorer as Busby's 25-yard drive flew like a tracer shell into the top corner, leaving Smelt grasping at thin air. It was an immediate contender for goal of the season.

Cray were not without chances after that. Tyne headed a deep cross against the outside of a post, though as he had an almost clear header he may well feel he should have done better. Then after a triple substitution had seen Tyne, Bremner and Stirling replaced by Lewis Wood, Richmond Kissy and George Porter, the third-named set up the first for a run at goal.

Play may well have been stopped as Parker had clashed heads with Porter, but Wood was allowed to continue and he smacked a drive off right upright before play was halted.

In between the two Cray chances, Hamada almost grabbed his second goal of the game when a spectacular overhead kick bounced off the post and was gratefully cleared by Colin Luckett.

Hendon made three changes as they shored things up, Glenn Garner replacing Hamada, Wayne O'Sullivan taking over from Busby and Casey Maclaren coming on for Dean.

And the substitutes really should have padded Hendon's victory by taking some gilt-edged chances in the final ten minutes. O'Sullivan, Garner and Dean all wasted great opportunities to give an admittedly more unrealistic look to the final score. And, with the game already won, those misses won’t be remembered for long.

"It was an important win for us," said manager Gary McCann, "and it gives us a good platform going into the two big games in the next few days.

"If we can beat Margate on Tuesday night, we should move into a playoff position, and then we'll be set up for the cup tie on Saturday.

"I thought we looked very good going forward and I thought Lubo Guentchev was exceptional. His attitude has been first class and very professional and his performances have been very good. He was our best outfield player at Marlow and again was very good against Cray."