Chatham Town play in front of a capacity 3,000 crowd at the Bauvill Stadium as they beat Horsham in the Isthmian Premier Division play-off semi-final – Reaction from manager-chairman Kevin Hake

Chatham Town boss Kevin Hake praised the “unbelievable” support as his side booked a place in the Isthmian League Premier Division play-off final.

There was a 3,000-strong sell-out at the Bauvill Stadium on Wednesday night as fans from Chatham and opponents Horsham snapped up tickets for the big play-off semi-final.

Report: Chatham 1 Horsham 1 (4-3 on pens)

The tie went the distance, goalless after 90 minutes and 1-1 in extra-time before Chats clinched it with a 4-3 penalty shootout win.

Hake said: “It was nice to see the fans come out in their numbers and that is an attendance record of 3,000, which is unbelievable, on a Wednesday night as well.

“It is not easy for people to get here and part with their money and fair play, the support was incredible and full credit to the Horsham support as well because I thought that was great.”

Just three points separated second-placed Chatham and Horsham, who finished fifth, and the match was also a close-fought contest.

Both sides had big moments and the two goals came in quick succession as Kareem Isiaka’s 106th-minute opener was cancelled out by the visitors six minutes later.

Hake said: “I wouldn’t say it was vintage Chatham but one thing you get with us is that we always put in an industrious performance.

“I thought we showed great heart throughout the game and I think we took them into deep waters that maybe they weren’t prepared to go to but all credit to Horsham, they are a fantastic team.

“It’s not great to go out on penalties, nobody really deserved to lose, but full credit to them for giving us a great game.”

Chatham goalkeeper Mitchell Beeney produced an heroic performance against his former side - despite stepping up to take his side’s first penalty and blazing it