Experienced campaigner Andy Drury made his Chatham Town debut on Tuesday night to help his new side into the quarter-finals of the Kent Senior Cup.

The 39-year-old left his role as manager of Margate over Christmas having previously been player-boss of Whitstable and he adds considerable experience to a Chatham side pushing for top spot in Isthmian League South East.

He has played for the likes of Stevenage, Luton and Ipswich Town as well as for a number of Kent sides, having started out at Sittingbourne and spent three years at Gravesend & Northfleet.

Chats boss Kevin Hake is delighted to have added experience and added competition to his side.

He said: “The squad is shaping up and gelling together nicely. The welcome addition of Andy Drury adds both experience and quality to the squad.

“He will help provide further competition for places as we move into the last four months of the season.”

A 2-0 home midweek win over Dover Athletic came thanks to goals from Callum Peck, late in the first half, and Dan Bradshaw on 90 minutes. Chats will play Corinthian in the next round.

In the league, Chats closed the gap on leaders Ramsgate to just a point on Saturday, with a game in hand.

While Steve Lovell’s leaders were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Sittingbourne, Chats were 2-1 winners at a re-energised Faversham Town.

Basement side Faversham have Sammy Moore in charge now and new players in the door as they look to pull clear of the foot of the table.

But Chatham managed only their second away win from nine matches as Seidou Sanogo put them ahead on 23 minutes and Jack Evans doubled the lead early in the second half.

Kieron Campbell pulled one back late on for Faversham but Chats took the points.

Hake said: “We picked up a vital three points on the road against a team fighting for their lives.

“It was a fantastic team performance and although they scored late on I thought we was good value for the win.”

Chatham host Beckenham Town this Saturday, another side hoping to be in the promotion shake-up this season.