An opportunist strike from Josh Short denied Sittingbourne a road win after the Brickies has taken the early second half lead at Littlehampton Town.

The visitors took the lead through a smart Chaynie Burgin goal after debutant Harry Hope had done well down the left. The home side level shortly after when Short hooked home a cross to earn the point.

Sub Mitch May could have won it for the Brickies with his first touch but just couldn’t lift the ball over a prone Binfield.

The opening half wasn’t the best – the only shot of note coming from Corry Davidson on the stroke of half time which home keeper James Binfield brilliantly tipped round the post, as a difficult pitch proved troublesome for both sides.

The visitors did look were assured and trying to find the way through but neither side could find the decisive ball that the rare openings craved.

Matt Warren was back to his industrious self, whilst credit too must be given to Bagusan Graham who looked safe and assured playing the left of a back three against a very physical home front line.

Debutant Harry Hope was the man who finally was able to pick a way through twelve minutes into the second half. The former East Thurrock man – only signed this week – did superbly down the left as he raced onto a ball from Graham. His delivery into the box was near perfectly weighted for Chaynie Burgin who gave Binfield no chance.

Sadly, for the visitors, the lead lasted on a handful of minutes as a swift break down the home side’s left found the overlapping Dion Jarvis who escaped the Brickies back line, his centre looked high and behind Short, but his audacious hook over his shoulder gave Harley Earle no chance in the visitors goal.

Littlehampton did get the ball in the net again, but referee Smith’s whistle had long since blown, whilst Sittingbourne’s best late chance fell to sub May with literally his first touch. But he couldn’t take advantage of the keepers slip having only just come off the bench.

Seven unbeaten for Sittingbourne now, but with results elsewhere, the Brickies now head for next Saturday’s Swale derby at Faversham just two points ahead of the relegation Play Off places.

LITTLEHAMPTON TOWN – Binfield, Layton, Jarvis, Walsh, Ball, Hendy, Pattenden (Pitcher), Packer, Short, Gaskin, Rhodes (Donaldson) (Hand)

Sub – Harris

SITTINGBOURNE – Earle, Jones, Davidson (May), Ellul, Tyrie, Graham, Hope, Warren, Burgin, Eyoma, Singh (Mbonkwi)

Subs – Pont, Follea, Mananga

REFEREE – Mr Smith