Chatham Town suffered their first league defeat since the opening day of the season after they were unable to recover from a two-goal half-time deficit.

Lowly Three Bridges scored a quickfire double through Brannon O’Neill and Noel Leighton to give Chats plenty to do and although Dan Bradshaw got one back, Callum Donaghey scored a third before Emmanuel Oloyede made it 3-2 with three minutes left.

Chats had gone into the game 12 unbeaten in all competitions and 11 without a loss in Isthmian South East.

Kevin Hake’s men weren’t short of chances against a team with contrasting fortunes at home and away. They had lost all seven of their league matches away from their Jubilee Field ground, but made it five wins from six on their own turf last Saturday with a big performance from keeper Leo Anderson.

“We knew they were a force at home,” Hake said. “We knew we were in for a tough afternoon, however there are ways of losing and the manner in which we lost this one was poles apart from our last league defeat against East Grinstead [on the opening day of the season], where we created very little.

“We created chance after chance, their keeper was outstanding and rightfully voted man-of-the-match. We threw everything at them but it wasn’t to be.

“Scoring two goals, with our defensive record, will normally mean we get something out the game. We always look to play football and at times you get caught out and that was the case on Saturday. The lads were gutted as they knew we should have come away with something but that’s football. Over the course of a season these things balance themselves out and we still find ourselves in an unbelievable position. We could have only dreamed at the start of the season of being two points off top with a game in hand after 13 games.”

Chatham will look to get back on track this Saturday at the Bauvill Stadium as they hope to maintain their 100% home record. It’s seven wins from seven ahead of their match against Littlehampton Town. The visitors, in contrast to last Saturday’s opponents, have enjoyed their best results on their travels.

“Our form at home has been outstanding,” Hake said. “They are a hard-working side who got to the Vase final last year and last Saturday they beat [league leaders] Ramsgate, so we know will have a game on our hands.”

*Josh Ogunseye, a regular in the team this season, has left Chats. He joined from Surrey side Farnham Town in the summer, from where he netted 38 times in the previous season.

The forward came off the bench on Saturday for Chats and leaves with two goals to his name. He tweeted: “My time at Chatham has come to an end, amazing supporters and a great club, thank you for everything. Ready for a new challenge.”