Chatham Town boss Kevin Hake pledges to make more memories with club’s fans as FA Cup journey ends at first-round stage at Buxton; Isthmian Premier games against Hashtag United and Ramsgate next

Boss Kevin Hake has pledged Chatham fans won’t have to wait too long to make more memories with his team after they were knocked out of the FA Cup on Saturday.

A pulsating first-round tie saw Chats edged out as they were consigned to a 2-1 extra-time loss at National League North high-fliers Buxton, despite taking the lead, in a thrilling 120-minute affair.

Hake’s team had already beaten higher-division opponents Tonbridge (3-1) - as well as Deal (3-1), Ashford (3-0) and Marlow (4-0) - in their best FA Cup run in 97 years.

Chatham had suffered a 6-1 defeat to Norwich in 1928 - but put up a better account of themselves in Derbyshire.

“It was a superb game,” said Hake. “You saw the atmosphere, which was electric, largely brought by those Chatham fans.

“They travelled up in their numbers. Seeing them clapping us off the pitch at the end, that was an emotional moment.

“It was a shame we couldn’t give them the victory that they wanted but we have got back here [to the first round] for the first time in 97 years.

“They certainly aren’t going to have to wait that long for more moments like this.

“We have had a taste for it and, now, we want more.”

Forward Tope Fadahunsi put Chatham into the lead inside 40 second-half seconds, winning possession off a home defender before his long-range shot whistled past keeper Joe Young for his ninth goal of the campaign.

Hake said: “It was an unbelievable strike.

"We said we wanted to start [the second half] quickly because we knew, at the start of the first half and second half, they’re not that great.

“To go out and get that first goal, that was great for us.”

Hake hopes his young full-time squad can march on as they push for Isthmian Premier promotion, although third-placed Chats lost 2-1