Kevin Hake admits it’s a great achievement for Chatham to have beaten Ashford three times this season - but still thinks they will make the play-offs.

The Chats moved top of Isthmian South East on Saturday with a 4-1 Kent derby victory at Homelands.

They have come out on top on every occasion this term, twice in the league and once in the Kent Senior Cup, albeit the cup success came on penalties after October’s 2-2 draw.

Chatham, who visit Beckenham on Tuesday, top the table and have a game in hand on second-placed Ramsgate while the Nuts & Bolts’ indifferent form has left them seventh.

“Sometimes, it goes that way,” said chairman-manager Hake, whose outfit have won six successive matches in all competitions.

“We know what Ashford are all about - they’re a great team.

“To get three wins against them is outstanding. I said to the boys that we’ve got to start getting back-to-back wins against teams but we’ve beaten Faversham and Sevenoaks back-to-back and, now, we need to get in and around the top teams.

“We know Ashford are always going to be there and, regardless of the result today, they’ll still be in the play-offs, in my opinion.

• Report: Ashford 1-4 Chatham

“They’re a great team.”

Chatham led at half-time through a rare Ike Orji goal and Emmanuel Oloyede’s header, despite striker George Nikaj netting for the hosts.

After the restart, the away team sealed their victory with Seidou Sanogo and midfielder Jack Evans - from the penalty spot - also on target.

Hake reflected: “We’re really pleased. We came down here with the intention of getting three points, but we know it’s always going to be tough.

“They won’t have conceded four many times and it’s always been really close affairs between us.

“But overall, we’re really pleased.”

Chatham will be aiming to do the double over promotion rivals Beckenham, having beaten them 3-0 in front of more than 1,000 fans at the Bauvill Stadium in their last home fixture.