Chatham toppled the Isthmian Premier leaders at the weekend but their manager won’t be underestimating lower-league opponents tonight.

A superb 2-0 home win over Hornchurch closed the gap between second placed Chats and the league leaders to five points.

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Two goals in the a seven-minute spell late in the game from Chris Dickson and Ashley Nzala secured maximum points in front of 1,568 fans at Maidstone Road.

Fresh from that high, Chats are now in last-16 Velocity Cup action at home to Isthmian North side Basildon United, who are under new management.

Basildon - now managed by Ajay Ashanike - are fifth in their own division and suffered a 5-1 defeat to Isthmian North leaders Lowestoft Town at the weekend.

New boss ‘AJ’ did a great job at former club Fisher and has taken assistant boss Luke With along too. Chatham’s own manager Kevin Hake isn’t expecting an easy ride from their midweek opponents.

He said: “Tonight is a welcome break from league action and our final game before the Christmas period where we face Kingstonian away on Boxing Day and Dulwich at home on New Year’s Day.

“Basildon will be a tough game as they recently changed their manager and AJ is a guy we know well. He did a great job at Fisher and I’m pleased to see he’s got a good job at higher level.”

The newly appointed Basildon boss AJ has built reputation for developing promising young players and among those is forward Jamie Yila, now with Chatham. He’s notched 10 goals already this season for the Medway side.

Kick off tonight is at 7.45pm and there are free mince pies and mulled wine on offer too.