When Erith and Belvedere hosted Chatham Town in February, they crashed to their worst ever home league defeat in front of 72 spectators.

This game was much closer with the hosts pushing the bookies favourites to win the league all the way but the Chats had just that little bit of quality to claim the three points.

Early chances went to the visitors but Paul Hayes’ effort was straight at the goalkeeper then Ryan Hayes missed a good chance when firing over from close range.

However, it was the hosts that broke the deadlock after fifteen minutes when player coach Marlon Patterson slung in a free kick and Rob Curtis rose at the far post to head home.

Luke Rooney shot over for the Chats before Erith put together a good move that ended with Malik Nosike going close.

Just after the half hour mark, the visitors levelled. Veteran Ryan Hayes played a one-two with namesake Paul and worked his way into the penalty area before passing his shot inside the far post.

Chances were few and far between for the rest of the first period although Charles Dickens had a good chance for Chatham but was unable to find the target.

Nosike sent a free kick into the high street immediately after the break before the Deres regained the lead. George Oldfield sent over a deep cross and Guy Mpungi controlled it before powering in a shot that almost burst the net.

Five minutes later the scores were level again when Matt Bodkin was left free to finish in style.

Lauric Diakiesse brought two saves out of Jordan Carey at one end before Bodkin took a free kick from out wide that beat everyone but just went beyond the far post. He came close again soon afterwards when his header brought out a stunning save from Rilwan Anibaba.

Chatham took the lead for the first time when one substitute, Max Gayle, brought down another, Ike Orji, in the penalty area. Rooney took the responsibility and fired home confidently from the spot.

Erith almost levelled soon after when Diakiesse’s shot rattled the near post however the Chat’s went on another raid and added a fourth. Ryan Hayes pulled back to Bodkin and Anibaba made a great save with his feet. Although it looked as though it had been cleared, it was launched back in and Bodkin met it with an acrobatic volley into the top corner.

To their credit, the Deres’ heads did not drop and they went straight up to the other end with Henry Dasofonju scoring a great individual goal. They tried desperately to score a leveller but Diakiesse spun and shot over before Mpungi cut in but could only slice it wide.

Erith and Belvedere: Anibaba, Abatan (Adeyemi 61), Springett (Gayle 75), Patterson, Curtis, Barrett, Dasofunju, Taylor (Allassani 61), Diakiesse, Nosike, Mpungi. Unused subs: Oldfield, Humber.

Goalscorers: Curtis (15), Mpungi (55), Dasofunju (88)

Yellow cards: Allassani, Curtis, Gayle

Red cards: None

Chatham Town: Carey, Pilbeam (Orji 59) , Lawal (Robins 66), Butler, Dickens, Ajayi, R. Hayes (Abioye 66), Rooney, P. Hayes, Bodkin, Dalton. Unused subs: Brown, Sherminant..

Goalscorers: R. Hayes (32), Bodkin (60, 87), Rooney pen (76)

Yellow cards: Carey

Red cards: None

Referee: Damian Mirzadeh

Assistants: Stephen Roots and Kevin Howard

Attendance: 138

Images courtesy of Dave Budden