Jack Pallen scores for Chatham Town Picture: Matthew Walker

Chatham earned a morale-boosting win 2-1 over Whyteleafe at Maidstone Road on Saturday to end a run of five straight Ryman League Division 1 South defeats.

Eighteen-year-old Jack Pallen scored twice on his full debut to give the Chats the much-needed victory.

Chatham fielded new arrival from Chipstead Jordan Kiffin and brought in keeper Richard Stroud for Dean Ruddy, but were missing Brendon Cass who has joined Folkestone and Jake Hobbs, who was recalled by Welling.

The visitors took the lead on five minutes through Danny Oakins, but Chatham equalised on 24 minutes when Matt Solly played in Rob Denness and his cross gave Pallen a tap-in.

The turnaround was complete six minutes later when a corner from Ashley Probets was parried into the air by the keeper and Pallen was on hand to nod the ball over the line from a yard out.