Chatham Town prepare for FA Trophy first-round journey to Waltham Abbey after successive Isthmian Premier home draws against Cray Wanderers and Dulwich Hamlet

Boss Kevin Hake described Chatham’s thrilling weekend draw as a great advert for Isthmian Premier football.

Third-placed Chats drew 3-3 with Cray Wanderers in their top-four match in front of a crowd of more than 1,500 fans at the Bauvill Stadium.

Trailing to an eighth-minute effort by Kareem Isiaka, scoring against his former club, goals from defender Simon Cooper and joint-top scorer Tope Fadahunsi put Hake’s men 2-1 ahead by half-time.

Alex Hernandez hit back for the Wands but Sam Sene-Richardson looked to have won it for Chatham, only for substitute Ashley Nzala - another player making his Bauvill Stadium return - to get Cray’s injury-time goal.

Hake said: “Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Cray Wanderers was a real test and a great advert for the league - two sides going for it, end-to-end, and neither wanting to back down.

“Of course, we wanted to take all three points but the unbeaten run continues and that’s something we can take a lot of positives from.

“I thought the lads showed great character again. We came from behind, kept going, and tried to win the game right up until the end.

"That says a lot about the attitude and spirit in the group. The fans were brilliant once more.

"The noise and backing from the terraces make such a difference, especially when the games are coming thick and fast like they are right now.

“We’ve got a young team that’s learning and improving every week, and that’s really encouraging to see.”

Chatham drew 0-0 at home against Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday evening as they continue to compete on all fronts this season.

“The schedule has been relentless,” admitted Hake. “We’re playing Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday all the way through to the end of November.

“But that’s part and parcel of being successful