It was the only time in the league the Millers have failed to score this term.
The sides have met four times at PM’s home ground over the years and Chi have now drawn two and won two in that time, with the Londoners yet to hit the back of the net.
Both draws finished 0-0, Lloyd Rowlatt scored the lone-goal winner last campaign, when Cray missed out on the play-offs, and Jimmy Wild smashed in one of the strikes that earned top spot for City after a 2-0 victory in the inaugural season at Step 4 back in 2019-20.
Chichester stuck with the same starting XI that thumped East Grinstead Town 7-1 at Oaklands Park in the previous match.
It might have been a very different game though had Calvin Ekpiteta’s goal not been ruled out for offside five minutes in.
Chi keeper Kieran Magee, who was superb all afternoon, then gathered comfortably when Cray skipper Arthur Lee and Denzel Gayle hooked up.
Next, Josh Clack, hat-trick hero last Saturday, was in effectively on Sonny Black, and first Rob Hutchings and then Joe Moore had defending to do.
On 12 minutes Adam Coombes, scorer from the penalty spot in the Millers’ 3-0 win at Oaklands less than a month ago, spurned a chance and headed over.
Moore cut a cross out moments later and Magee was out swiftly to claim as Barney Williams and Coombes posed a threat.
It all got a bit scrappy as Chi frustrated the hosts.
Matt Vigor was flagged offside and on 18 PM won the first corner of the contest which Magee gathered easily enough.
Right back Emmett Dunn hacked away; then subsequently went on a decent run; the visitors had a shot blocked; and a cross punched clear by custodian Max Ovenden.
There was an off the ball incident between Hutchings and Denzel Gayle which the ref didn’t see, before Williams earned a corner off Black’s delivery that came to nothing.
Wild won the ball at the second attempt and passed to Hutchings who had strayed offside.
Connor Cody and Moore played a neat one-two and Isaac Bello missed a couple of clear-cut opportunities on the half hour mark.
Cody took the ball off Coombes’ head and conceded a corner which Moore headed to safety and Black got caught, although Williams’ set-piece did little to trouble Magee.
A cool, calm, collected Kiki Oshilaja cleared and then Bello broke down the right but the move fizzled out.
Ekpiteta struck one well wide on 37 and then a cross too deep after a good approach.
Somehow Magee denied Coombes in the 40th minute and Wild wasn’t far off at the other end, although he hit the ball narrowly off target.
Next, Ovenden claimed a Wild delivery and Magee punched Tom Chambers’ free-kick out of danger only for an offside flag to go up.
And the half time whistle went as Lee made a firm defensive header once again.
Chichester responded smartly to some intense pressure straight away from the re-start and Cody got in an impressive clearance with his head.
Bello went on a long run before Moore set up the other Joe, Joe Clarke, for a shot from some distance which went over.
Cody and Bello played a one-two but no one was there after a blind pass.
Ekpiteta’s low cross got cleared and Bello bombed down the right flank, but to no avail.
Ovenden was out promptly to intercept Cody’s ball to Wild.
The hosts’ vexation increased as they tried to get going.
Curtis Da Costa and Hutchings snuffed out a move involving Gayle; a chance for Cray went begging; and Vigor headed wide of an upright when he should/could have done better.
Another effort was gathered by Magee, and Lee picked up the first yellow card.
Clack forced Ovenden into a save for the first Chi corner before the Millers rang the changes with a couple of subs.
Vigor wasted another chance and Magee took the next cross.
Clack joined Lee in the book on 67 for impeding Williams, and Vigor blew a free header.
Bello’s hit was blocked for a goal kick and Magee got to a Hassan Ibrahiym attempt.
The visitors won a corner as Bello’s delivery was deflected; Cody lost the ball on a mazy run; and sub Lyle Della-Verde’s shot was saved with Magee’s legs.
Cody then steered a Gayle cross out for a corner kick before Ekpiteta danced into the box. The ball was cleared but only as far as Williams who couldn’t get his effort on target.
Next, substitute Danny Waldren fired one off; good play in the next attack saw the ball somehow turned away; and Magee gathered under pressure.
Freddie Parker then headed wide a guilt edged opportunity and Wild and Clack combined but the former was adjudged to have fouled an opponent.
Mo Jammeh replaced Conrad Honore with three minutes of normal time to go.
Ekpiteta struck a poor over-hit cross on 89 and Clack hit a tame shot after Wild and Jammeh exchanged passes.
Dunn received a caution for time wasting late on, and Cray Valley were awarded a corner when it certainly seemed like a goal kick.
And Chi had another few corners to defend before the ref finally blew.
So, the visitors earned another point – eight points away at the Millers from twelve. It wasn’t always pretty but, for now, Chichester stay in seventh place. They face high-flyers Sittingbourne away on Saturday 17th of February 2024 (Kick Off 3pm).
Chichester – Magee, Bello, Hutchings, Moore, Da Costa, Cody, Clack, Clarke, Wild, Honore, Bello. Subs – (Munt, Jammeh, O’Brien, Haitham).
