Cray Valley boss Kevin Watson insisted his team have to improve if they are to reach the FA Vase final.

Despite taking a slender 1-0 lead over Canterbury into next weekend’s second leg at Salters Lane, Watson knows his side have to raise their game.

“We need to improve next week or we’ll be out of the competition,” said Watson. “It wasn’t through a lack of trying, they’ve put a lot into it but there was a lack of quality in some areas.

“They’ve set their own (standard) and they haven’t met it.

“I seem a little bit ungrateful - we’ve won the game and we’ve got a foothold (in the tie).”

Dreadful weather conditions and a poor playing surface were a combination that failed to produce a first leg full of flowing football at Badgers on Sunday.

“We weren’t very good,” added Watson. “I’d feel aggrieved if I was them. A draw was probably a fair result – there was nothing to celebrate in our performance or result.

“I can’t believe the conditions were so bad. We didn’t adapt to them very well at all.

“Our goalkeeper has kept us in it a few times, we had a few chances – I’m not saying we deserved to lose the game – but too many players were not anywhere near the standards they’ve set.

“A couple looked a bit nervy to be honest. I said in my programme notes that people wouldn’t resent (paying) their entry fee because it would be a spectacle – if I was them I’d be asking for my money back!

“It’s difficult because we’ve won the game but I’ve got to go in there and be realistic about the performance.”

One moment of quality from Ryan Flack separates the two sides at the the halfway stage of the semi-final.

Reflecting on the goal, Watson noted: “The guy’s shown him in on his left foot, he kept going and it wasn’t a bad strike to be fair.

“We’ve got nothing to celebrate. I wanted them to shake hands and get in the changing room. That old cliché, it’s half-time - I suppose it is.”

Watson already stated before the first game that nothing would be decided in Sunday’s match, and heading to the return leg at Canterbury in front is not going to change Cray’s approach.

“We’re not going to approach that game trying to get a draw,” he said. “We both tried to win the first leg and we’ll both try to win next week.

“The better team over the 180 minutes will get through. Were we the better team? No, we weren’t. We’ll see after next week.

“It will be a different game. The surface is better. They’re going to throw everything at it but we’re not going to sit back – we’re not good at that.”

Cray will keep tabs on veteran keeper Andy Walker this week. Their captain picked up an injury inside the first minute of Sunday’s games and was unable to take goal kicks.

“We’ll have to assess him during the week,” said Watson. “He’s kept us in the game ultimately. It’s not an injury he’s had before.

“It was the first seconds of the game and he’s had to stretch for it. We won’t panic but we’ve got a couple of other keepers signed (in case).”

Read the match report from Cray Valley's 1-0 win over Canterbury City here