Young striker Anthony Carlton scored the goal that lifted Chatham to 18th ahead of their New Year’s Day game at Thurrock.

The substitute headed home a corner as Chats claimed a much-needed win over Cray, the bottom side in Ryman League Division 1 North, on Saturday - securing their first home win since September 6.

Boss Kevin Watson said: “Anthony Carlton’s not been available as much as we’d like for a variety of reasons.

“He’s got that predicament a lot of younger lads have where he could play with his mates a couple of levels below and be a star, or he can test himself at a higher level.

“He’s got attributes to be a success in that he makes good runs and gets in good positions, qualities that attracted us when we saw him in the under-21s.”

Watson added: “It was an important win (against Cray). We were getting sucked into things down the bottom and still down there.

“I still don’t think Cray will get relegated because they’re a decent team.

“You’re always thinking at some point they’re going to turn things around and I just didn’t want it to be against us."

Chatham host play-off hopefuls Aveley on Saturday.