Dartford’s destiny is no longer in their own hands after they were held by neighbours Cray Wanderers on Monday.

A record crowd at Flamingo Park of 2,088 saw the Darts denied victory in Isthmian Premier.

It means Dartford go into the final day of the season on Saturday relying on both Billericay and Horsham to slip up if they are to win automatic promotion.

Dartford boss Ady Pennock made one change from the side that beat Dover on Good Friday with Samir Carruthers replaced by Louis Dunne as his team started the day on top of the table.

Cray. now under the charge of Tim O’Shea after Neil Smith’s exit to Crawley, were always a danger with pace in attack and both full-backs looked to join in.

Left-back Darion Dowrich forced an early save from Darts keeper Jacob Marsden while Michael Olarewaju was booked for a foul on the edge of his box. Then right-back Ike Orji was next to advance, whistling a 25-yard right-foot shot inches past the upright.

Dartford started to settle and Dunne hit the bar after Denzelle Olopade crossed from the right before Callum Jones was unable to turn in the loose ball.

Skipper Josh Hill headed back a deep free-kick for George Whitefield, who was unable to get a strong connection with his finish, before an excellent save by keeper Shaun Rowley denied the excellent Olopade the opener.

But Dartford’s pressure paid off on 31 minutes when a long throw-in was kept alive and the loose ball was eventually turned home by Jones.

Cray responded, however, and Joshua Williams was denied by a combination of Marsden and Sam Okoye after being played in by Soul Kader.

The equaliser arrived on 39 minutes when Olarewaju fouled Quade Taylor in the box and Frankie Raymond stepped up to convert the penalty.

Cray were nearly in front moments later as they broke four-on-three but Marsden saved well to deny Kader at the far post.

The hosts took just five minutes of the second half to go ahead. Dowrich broke into the box and the ball was squared for Lateef Adaja to turn into an empty net.

Dartford took just four minutes to level it up. Jones’ cross-shot was kept alive by Odaudu and Olopade was in the right place at the right time to force the ball home.

As the game ticked into the last 20 minutes, Dartford knew they needed to win as both Horsham and Billericay went ahead in their games.

But their task got even harder on 80 minutes when Michael Olarewaju was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Williams. He had earlier been booked for a late challenge on 14 minutes.

Substitute Eddie Dsane fired a low right-foot shot just wide of Rowley’s far post on 82 minutes but he was to go even closer in the first minute of stoppage time, doing well to connect with Jones’ cross he could only watch as the ball agonisingly hit the top of the crossbar twice.

Darts nearly won it in the third minute of stoppages but Orji was back to head off the line after Rowley only half stopped a Jones shot with his feet.

Cray: Rowley, Orji, Dowrich, Taylor, Bonner, Ebuzoeme (Damyanov 73mins), Adaja, Raymond, Kader, Williams, Clunis. Subs not used: Borders, Kardel, Brooke, Warwick.

Dartford: Marsden, Hill, Whitefield, Olarewaju, Okoye, Dunne (Carruthers 64mins), Olopade, Bullas (Pinder 89mins), Odaudu, Jones, Box (Dsane 67mins). Subs not used: Christian-Law, West-Astuti.

Referee: Steven Goldup.

Attendance: 2,088.