Dartford 1 Chatham Town 0 match report: Dan Smith scores match-winning penalty in stopage time of Isthmian Premier derby

A stoppage-time penalty proved the difference as Dartford beat Chatham in the Isthmian Premier on Monday.

Substitute Dan Smith kept his cool to score from the spot and claim three points for the home side.

Both teams looked to get the ball down and play. It nearly provided an early goal for Chatham as skipper Reece Butler strode forward out of defence after eight minutes and his left-foot 35-yard shot forced Darts keeper Ryan Sandford into an excellent fingertip save.

Dartford went close on 20 minutes when Jordan Higgs volleyed over after Scott Wagstaff’s cross from a short corner was only half-cleared.

A minute later, Chatham’s Jordy Robins coughed up possession on the edge of his own penalty area but Butler was on hand to block Wagstaff’s shot as he latched onto the loose ball.

Chatham produced the best move of the match on 23 minutes, passing out from the back they worked the ball down the right where Ollie Hobden’s cross found Ollie Evans at the far post but he could only turn the ball into the side netting.

With player-boss Ben Greenhalgh on the bench, Max Fiddes took over free-kick duties but he sent a 30-yard left-foot attempt over the roof of the stand just past the half-hour.

Dartford had the final chance of the half when defender George Whitefield strode forward from halfway but his 20-yard right-foot shot was deflected behind for a corner.

The Darts nearly broke the deadlock two minutes after the break. Chats keeper Nathan Harvey handled outside his area and Sam Odaudu fired the free-kick against the underside of the bar.

The chances dried up thereafter, however, although the Chats were dealt a blow with six minutes left when skipper Butler was forced off through injury.

Chatham nearly won it on 88 minutes