Boss Kevin Hake admits he has never been involved in a game quite like Chatham’s action-packed 1-0 victory at Burgess Hill.

The title-chasing Isthmian South East side were reduced to 10 men midway through the first half on Saturday when defender Dean Beckwith was sent off for handball - only for keeper Nathan Harvey to catch out opposite number Will Huffer 14 minutes from time with a big punt upfield from a goal kick.

Minutes later, however, Harvey was sent off, with player-assistant Danny Kedwell taking over in goal for nine-man Chatham in front of a crowd of 847.

Chats somehow held on and there was even time for home substitute Hayden Skerry to be dismissed.

Hake said: “I’ve never been involved in a game quite like that!

“It had it all and [it] was great to perform in front of a large crowd away from home. The less said about the referee the better but, needless to say, we will be appealing both red cards.

“The lads showed great character to play with 10 men for 75 minutes and the last 15 down to nine men.

“We wouldn’t have won that game earlier in the season, as we weren’t as together as we are now.

"Players were putting their bodies on the line for the team and were showing a resilience.

“We defended 14 corners in the first half alone brilliantly and, during the whole game, we reduced them to only drawing on two saves - one by Nathan and the other by Keds!

“Nathan’s goal was a great one and [one] you don’t see many of in your life, so it was great to witness.

“The goal celebration will live long in the memory with everyone involved, and we are buzzing to be in the league position we are.”

There’s a top-three encounter for Chats this Saturday at home to Whitehawk, with three of their last five games this term to be played at the Bauvill Stadium.

The sides only met at Whitehawk less than three weeks ago and Hake feels they owe them one after the way Whitehawk celebrated that 1-0 win.

Experienced defender Richard Orlu made his Chats debut at Burgess Hill and Hake said: “The new lads have integrated well and we have lots of cover in all areas.

“The boys have been great in understanding that we can’t just play one way and expect to win a game at this level.

"They have taken everything on board and that gives us a great chance, going into the last five games.

“It starts with Whitehawk at home on Saturday and we know we owe them one after the way they reacted after the game.

“It will be great to see a bumper crowd at the Bauvill as we only have three home games left now.”

Beckwith is due to serve a one-match ban while Harvey will be suspended for three games.