Fleet Town 1-1 Chatham Town - Miles: It's abotut time fortune turned in our favour

Chats game plan suffered a set back before Saturday's kick off, when last week's double scorer Darren Smith picked up an injury in an accidental collision with an opponent during the warm up, writes Neil Sanders.

He started the match but clearly was suffering and had to be replaced by Adam Douglas inside the first half hour. Ironically it was the sub who turned out to be this week's vital goalscorer.

Playing up the slope in the first half, Chatham employed the same system which had stifled the Dulwich attack ten days ago.

Fleet created chances but a solid display by the defence of Rob Goodger, Andy Boyle, Danny Larkin and new signing Wayne Brown (the former player manager of Kent League side Erith & Belvedere) handled their lively attack pretty well, whilst John Whitehouse made two good saves when called upon.

The home side did eventually take the lead after 33 minutes when Eddie Smith pulled the ball across goal to the far post, where the unexpected recipient was central defender Steve Noakes who finished from close range.

Jim Lyons came closest to equalising when his 35 yard shot forced a good save.

Fleet continued to have the better chances early in the second half but Whitehouse was more than equal to the task.

Chatham started to have more success in attack with Mark Brooks and Rob Denness able to get forward more to support Luke Harvey, both out wide and more so when coming infield.

The 83rd minute equaliser was worth waiting for. A strong run down the left by Denness drew two defenders towards him and a clever back heel opened the door for Steve Best.

He got past his opponent and fired in a shot which was blocked. However, the ball came out to Adam Douglas on the edge of the 18 yard area and he turned past a defender before firing a low left foot shot just inside the post.

Afterwards manager Phil Miles was very pleased with the point. "They had the better chances but we stuck to the task throughout and got the reward in the end,” he said.

“Our performances earlier in the season deserved better than we received, so it's about time fortune turned in our favour".

Unfortunately luck ran out for all who travelled as the coach wouldn't start after the game, but at least it gave everyone time to celebrate a good away point.

Chatham Town: Whitehouse, Goodger, Brown, Larkin, Boyle, Best, Smith (Douglas 29), Brooks, Harvey, Denness, Lyons (King 84). Subs: James, Winter-Nolan.