Adebayo Akinfenwa was denied by stand-in goalkeeper Harrison Pont from the penalty spot late on as Sittingbourne won their big Isthmian South East derby at Faversham on Saturday.

One-time Town loanee Joe Tyrie put the Brickies ahead in the first half before an incredible finish to the game.

That saw a stoppage-time spot-kick awarded against away keeper Harley Earle, who was injured and unable to continue.

But Pont was the star of the show, denying Akinfenwa his first goal for the Lilywhites on his home debut, as the Brickies extended their unbeaten run to eight matches.

It was a result which helped ease lingering fears of relegation for them while also dramatically reducing Faversham's chances of an unlikely survival.

Ryan Maxwell’s men had the first chance of the contest at Salters Lane inside the first minute in front of a bumper crowd of 671. Midfielder Harry Hope cut inside before he curled narrowly over.

At the other end six minutes later, the recalled Jacques Kpohomouh missed the target from distance.

The 11th minute saw Faversham frontman Shola Ayoola head over midfielder Toby Ajala’s corner.

He then got the right side of Sittingbourne skipper Joe Ellul who brought him down on 21 minutes. The former Maidstone defender was only cautioned by referee Jake Woodman despite appeals for a red card from the home contingent.

And Earle was equal to the set-piece from Ajala which looked set to curl in at the far post.

While the visitors were having spells, they struggled to turn them into clear-cut opportunities throughout much of the first period as a third attempted long throw drifted straight out for a goal kick.

Kpohomouh became the first player booked for the Lilywhites in the 38th minute for a challenge on striker Chaynie Burgin.

It appeared the resultant free-kick had been over-hit, although wideman Donvieve Jones kept it alive at the back post and crossed for Tyrie who had spent time on loan with Town earlier in the season. He made no mistake from yards out.

Things nearly got even better in first-half stoppage-time for the away side.

Correy Davidson crossed from the left to find Hope, who beat Town keeper Bailey Vose but saw his effort strike the post and desperate defending prevented Jones from bundling home the loose ball.

There were huge cheers and chants of “Beast” on 51 minutes as 40-year-old Akinfenwa replaced Ayoola, shortly followed by the arrival of Michael Ademiluyi for centre-half Oliver Gray.

It didn’t take long before Akinfenwa and Ellul were in a physical battle, although there seemed plenty of mutual respect between the pair.

Town delivered their last throw of the dice midway through the second half when Matt Parsons came on for Ajala.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between but Earle had to be alert in the 80th minute from a high punt upfield from midfielder Bode Anidugbe - with Akinfenwa closing in - before Parsons blasted straight at the Brickies shot-stopper.

A minute later, a handball was awarded against a Sittingbourne defender. Although the hosts felt confident it happened in the penalty box, only a free-kick was awarded and Kieron Campbell’s shot was deflected behind.

Vose had to be alive in the final seconds of normal time to beat away Hope’s effort.

Inside the first 30 seconds of stoppage-time, a long ball found Akinfenwa, although he failed to make a proper connection on the header and Earle comfortably gathered.

But the second minute of injury time saw the Lilywhites get a penalty when Parsons beat Earle to the ball. Both players stayed down for some time, with Parsons first to his feet.

Although Earle just about got up, he wasn’t fit to continue. That left Pont to come on with the gloves, despite clear offers from Ellul.

And Pont - quite incredibly - saved Akinfenwa’s weak spot-kick, pushing it out for a corner!

Sittingbourne held on to win the Bob Amor Cup after what ended up being some 13 minutes of added time.

With games running out this season, it means they are up to 12th in the table while Faversham are second-bottom, eight points away from the relegation play-off places.

There had been plenty of interest in Akinfenwa’s home debut for Town but the ex-Gillingham man started on the bench.

Home boss Sammy Moore made one change to his starting line-up. Kpohomouh replaced Ademiluyi, who dropped to the bench.

For the Brickies, there was also a single change, which saw ex-Folkestone midfielder Simo Mbonkwi come in for Toch Singh.

Faversham Town: Vose, Kpohomouh, Shaw, Anidugbe, Gray (Ademiluyi 52mins), Phillips, Ajala (Parsons 66mins), McCann, Ayoola (Akinfenwa 51mins), Sithole, Campbell. Subs not used: Christian-Law, Byford.

Sittingbourne: Earle (Pont 90mins), Jones, Davidson, Ellul, Tyrie, Graham, Hope, Warren, Burgin, Eyoma (James 87mins), Mbonkwi (Singh 74mins). Subs not used: Follea, May.

Referee: Jake Woodman.

Attendance: 671.