Three goals in six first-half minutes ensured Dartford’s safe progress in the FA Trophy third round at Cray Wanderers on Saturday.

Both sides fielded weakened sides due to injuries and Covid but it was still a good watch at Hayes Lane as Darts' extra quality in the final third shone through.

Cray had a glorious chance to take the lead on four minutes, Kyel Reid’s right-wing corner was allowed to go across the six-yard box and Fjord Rogers somehow headed against the bar from close range.

Jamie Yila, who scored twice in Cray’s win over Ebbsfleet in the previous round, somehow kept the ball under pressure on 21 minutes and his long-range left-foot shot was deflected wide of the near post.

But the game turned when Darts flexed their attacking muscles midway through the half. Noor Husin’s vision picked out Robinson whose initial shot was blocked by keeper Bailey Vose. Tyrique Hyde picked up the loose ball and crossed for Robinson to volley in first time on 24 minutes.

The lead was doubled three minutes later when Marvin McCoy fouled Hyde in the box after Michael Kedman’s left-wing cross. Robinson drilled the spot-kick into the bottom corner.

The predatory striker turned provider on the half-hour, his deflected cross was helped on by the influential Hyde, with Danny Leonard arriving to convert at the far post from close range.

Yila twice headed wide early in the second half for Cray while Robinson missed a great opening to complete his hat-trick at the other end.

Cray player-boss Danny Kedwell introduced himself for the tireless Rogers midway through the second half.

With the game won, Darts boss Steve King made three changes late on, perhaps with one eye on the forthcoming Boxing Day showdown with new National League South leaders Ebbsfleet.

Cray pulled one back with 15 minutes left when Yila beat his man down the left and crossed for the onrushing Jai Reason to stroke home from 20 yards and give his side hope.

Substitute Dan Roberts headed over from close range after Leonard’s stood-up cross with nine minutes left.

Kedwell had a chance with three minutes left but totally fluffed his line from 10 yards, while Darts broke three on two at the other end only for Roberts to fail to capitalise.

Plucky Cray kept going and in stoppage time Drury’s free-kick was palmed away before a goalmouth scramble saw penalty appeals from the home side as Drury went down in the box but referee Steven Hughes was unmoved.

Cray Wanderers: Vose, Aidoo, Hanson, Beckwith, McCoy, Drury (Desa 90mins), Rogers (Kedwell 65mins), Yila, Reason, Reid, Skeffington. Subs not used: Hassan, Donkor, Mountain.

Dartford: Wilks, Wynter, Vint, Clarke, Kedman, Husin, Leonard, Hyde (Murtagh 69mins), Jebb, Sonupe (Roberts 73mins), Robinson (Porter 70mins). Subs not used: Odaudu, Theobalds.

Referee: Steven Hughes.

Attendance: 473.