Sittingbourne slipped to their second successive home defeat as a first half strike from Lloyd Rowlatt left boss Darren Blackburn a frustrated figure as his side lost ground on the South East race for the Play Off places.

The game’s only goal – and one of very few actual attempts on goal from either side in the whole game – came after just eighteen minutes as Callum Overton’s low drive was brilliantly blocked by Harry Brooks in the home goal. Unfortunately for the Brickies custodian, the ball rebounded straight to Rowlatt who had the easiest of chances to roll the ball home.

Going into the game, Blackburn knew that there would be little between the two sides and so it proved as both defences were on top of their games and neither side were able to create much in front of their opponent’s net.

And indeed, as the midfield battle continued through the opening half, it became increasingly obvious that it was going to take a mistake and so it very nearly proved just before the break, but the home fans were relieved when Overton couldn’t take advantage.

The second period was slightly better for the home side, but the final ball was still sadly missing. Substitute Alex Flisher and top scorer Johan Caney-Bryan were both desperately unlucky to get on the end of a rare defence splitting pass – both players were so close to reaching the pass, but it summed up the home sides afternoon… nearly but not quite!

Caney-Bryan was then denied by a very late assistants’ flag as he looked as if he’d finally found some space in the Chichester box before only Overton will know how he didn’t seal the visitors win when a poor clearance fell straight to him but with the goal at his mercy, he missed the opportunity.

And shortly afterwards, when the striker was late on an ugly lunge in Kane Rowland’s direction, his afternoon was over as referee Dann-Rye brandished the red card. But that happened as ninety minutes showed on the clock and there simply wasn’t time for Sittingbourne to take advantage as Caney-Bryan was a yard shy of Taylor Fisher’s through ball and that was that!

SITTINGBOURNE – Brooks, Rivelino (A Flisher), Fisher, Taylor (Monger), Dasho, Allan, Bancroft (Anderson), Bamba, Rowland, Caney-Bryan, Smith

Subs – Stannard, Okoye

CHICHESTER CITY – Magee, Davidson, Hutchings, Horncastle, Hyde, Pashley, Rowlatt, Mendoza, Overton, Prichard (Georges-Dallard), Haitham (Dunn)

Subs – Carroll, Barry, Coote

REFEREE – Mr Dann-Pye