Chatham’s weekend performance was up there with their best - but they had to work hard to beat their former keeper in the opposition goal.

Nathan Harvey spent time on loan at Chats last season from Charlton and did his best to keep them at bay for Lewes on Saturday, but three goals in the last 15 minutes sealed a 3-0 win for Kevin Hake’s side, keeping them top of the Isthmian Premier Division table.

It was a result, and performance, that delighted Hake after his side were beaten 5-1 by Cray Wanderers last time out at the Bauvill, a result that ended their proud home league record.

Hake said: “The lads have now set the bar for performances as that was right up there with one of the best that I’ve seen them play.

“They stuck to the task and never stopped looking to find a way to score.

“It took a while to break the deadlock as I thought Nathan Harvey for them was excellent.

“It’s hard when you create so many chances in the first half and still find yourself level.

“But credit to the boys, they went out in the second half and did the same again.

“It wasn’t until the 75th minute that we got the breakthrough but they held their nerve and it was nice to see another couple go in.”

Harvey - now on the books at Gillingham after leaving Charlton in the summer - was finally beaten when Jamie Yila guided the ball home from the spot after winning the penalty.

Yila added a second two minutes later, to the delight of most in a crowd of 1,065, benefiting from a super run and cross by Nzala.

Ashley Nzala made it 3-0 with a deserved goal a minute from time.

The Third Qualifying Round draw of the FA Trophy has seen Chatham drawn away to Isthmian North side Heybridge Swifts.

That match takes place next Saturday (October 7).

Chatham’s exit from the FA Cup means they have a free Saturday coming up. They return to action on Tuesday night with a home game against Tonbridge Angels in the Second Round of the Kent Senior Cup (kick-off 7.45pm).