Herne Bay handed Chipstead all three points in the Chips quest for mid table security whilst dealing themselves a disappointing defeat in a game that lacked any real quality.
The first quarter of an hour had promised much with both sides going close in the opening exchanges and the visitors drew first blood when Ben Brown was adjudged to have fouled Sam Charles just inside the penalty area and Will Turl made no mistake form 12 yards sending Delo the wrong way.
Bay might have gone in at the break level had James Turners’ cheeky shot not been parried thanks to the quick reflexes of Milan Stojsavlevic between the Chipstead sticks. Stuart King was first to react but his touch took him to too acute an angle to prosper.
After the turnaround Stojsavlevic was called into action once again when King’s header required his touch to tip the ball over the bar.
Six minutes later, Montgomery might have extended Chipstead’s lead when he turned Sayer to be through on goal but lifted his shot over the bar. The visitors did pull further ahead on 66 though when Turl grabbed his second of the game when put through from a neat back heel on the edge of the Bay box.
Herne Bay, who probably need another 9 points to ensure a comfortable safety Margin made a bold double substitution soon after in an attempt to get back into the game sacrificing a midfielder and a centre back for two strikers.
Jordan Casey and Jamie O’Connell entered the fray and it was Casey who achieved the desired result winning a penalty for the Blues when he was brought down after a strong run into the box with 13 minutes left.
Stuart King stepped up and powered home left footed to end his goal drought and give the Bay supporters a glimmer of hope. Hope that was so nearly rewarded when Harry Brown’s effort in the 87th was met with another reflex tip over the bar by Stojsavlevic.
Herne Bay: Jack Delo, Michael Turner, Gary Sayer, Danny Walder (Jordan Casey 70), Connor Sanders (Jaimie O’Connell 70), Nathan Eastwood, Harry Brown, Ben Brow, Stuart King, James Turner, Dean Grant (Sam Hasler 59)
Subs not used: Joe Kennett, George Benner
Chipstead: Milan Stojsavlevic, Steve Betancourt, Bobby Webbe, Mark McCloud, Ben Dyett, Sean Preddie, Jordan Berry (Adam Willis 75), Johnny Montgomery (Devon Williams 89), Will Turl, Joseph Steam (Jordan Knight 85), Sam Charles
Subs not used: Dan Moody
Man of the Match: Will Turl (Chipstead)
Referee: Oliver Davies Assistant Referees: Steve Perry, Ollie Butcher
Herne Bay (0) 1
King 78 (pen)
Chipstead (1) 2
Turl 32 (pen) 66
Attendance: 180