Chatham face a test of their promotion credentials when they come up against another of the Isthmian Premier Division’s early-season front-runners.

Kevin Hake’s side have been putting soom good results together of late, now four unbeaten in all competitions, and head into the weekend sitting second in the table. Saturday’s visitors to the Bauvill Stadium, Carshalton Athletic, sit third.

Hake, commenting after last weekend’s 2-1 win at Heybridge Swifts in the FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round, said: “Saturday we face another challenge in the form of promotion chasers Carshalton.

“They are another team we face who are seasoned at this level so it will be a real test to see how far we have come.

“Our last home league game against Lewes the fans were the difference and, cliche as it may sound, they really are our 12th man.

“We are now unbeaten in four and I want us to continue this mini run of good form.

“If you can start to put these runs together in bunches then it has a massive effect on where you finish up. It’s something we have done time after time over the last few seasons and if we are to challenge this year we will need to do the same.”

Lower-league Heybridge gave Chats a good game last Saturday in the FA Trophy.

Jack Evans and Ben Allen had put Hake’s side two-up before the break but the Swifts got a goal back on 65 minutes before then pushing for a second. Chats held out to claim their place in the draw for the first round proper.

“It was nice to come away with a win and advance into the first round,” said Hake, whose side have been drawn at home against Cray Valley, on Saturday, October 28.

“Winning away from home is never easy and on Saturday the lads showed good resilience against a spirited Heybridge side.They threw everything at us in the second half but we saw the game out.”

Hake added: “It’s a difficult difficult draw against a side who have made a great start.”