Chatham Town 1 Barking & East Ham United 1

Sunday 19th February 2006

With Rob Denness failing a late fitness test, Luke Harvey came in to partner Hicham Akhazzan up front for Chatham Town. Jim Lyons also returned to the starting line up in midfield, writes Neil Sanders.

Chatham had the better of the first half and created early openings for Mark Brooks and Akhazzan.

However, they had to wait half an hour to take the lead. A break on the right enabled Akhazzan to fire in a good low cross towards the near post. Close attention from a defender prevented Harvey from getting a touch, but skipper Steve Best was following up behind.

Although he didn't make clean contact, it was enough, with Barking & East Ham United keeper Tony Tucker stranded on the deck.

The visitors’ only meaningful attempt in the opening period came just before half time. A long range effort from Wayne Vaughan bounced awkwardly in front of Kevin Fewell and forced him to make an excellent diving save.

Barking & East Ham looked more dangerous in the second half with Vaughan just clearing the bar, again from long range.

Just after the hour mark Chatham had a good claim for a penalty when Tucker appeared to bring down Akhazzan.

The visitors then thought they had equalised, claiming the ball had crossed the line during a goalmouth scramble. Both appeals were waived away.

The equaliser came after 83 minutes. Chatham were unable to clear from a free kick and Bradley Woodards reacted first to slide the ball past Fewell.

Overall Chats will feel they had the better chances, although in the last few minutes it was Barking who looked the more likely to snatch a winner.

Chatham Town: Fewell, Binks, D.Larkin, Boyle, Bourne, Best, Lyons, Brooks, Akhazzan (Mortimore 82), Harvey, Botterill (B.Walker 51). Subs: Denness, Miles.