Chatham Town 1 Dover Athletic 1 match report: Whites’ top scorer George Nikaj nets to cancel out Chats captain Jack Evans’ opening goal at Bauvill Stadium

There was nothing to separate Chatham and Isthmian Premier leaders Dover at the Bauvill Stadium on Saturday.

Chats captain Jack Evans put them into a deserved lead in the second half in emphatic fashion.

But that advantage lasted less than 15 minutes. Dover top scorer George Nikaj equalised as it finished 1-1 and both teams extended their respective unbeaten runs.

Kevin Hake’s troops had created the first opportunity. Evans saw his third-minute overhead kick deflected through to goalkeeper Mitch Walker off defender Tamas Amgbaduba.

Two minutes later, away midfielder George Wilkinson sliced wide with his long-range shot in front of a crowd of 1,903.

The 20-year-old then became the first player in referee Gerry Heron’s book for a late challenge in midfield.

As openings were made at both ends, Dover skipper Walker made a simple save to deny winger John Ufuah - shortly after Nikaj had sent a left-footed strike whistling past home goalkeeper Joe Wright’s right-hand post.

Evans, 31, again went close for Chats with 21 minutes played. He poked wide after he had made a timely run into the penalty area.

Shortly after the half-hour mark, centre-back Reece Butler nodded an Evans corner straight at Whites’ keeper.

Next to go close for the hosts was the recalled Jordy Mongoy, cracking a shot against the crossbar from Jamie Yila’s lay-off on 35 minutes.

Experienced defender Simon Cooper also failed to hit the target at the back post from an Evans corner in first-half stoppage time.

Dover manager Jake Leberl opted to make a half-time substitution that saw forward Francis Mampolo replace the cautioned Wilkinson.

But three minutes after the restart, it was Chatham again on the attack. Midfielder Stuart O’Keefe fired against Walker’s