Chatham took over top spot in Isthmian South East for the first time on Saturday.

Dan Bradshaw scored twice as they defeated Kent rivals Hythe 6-1 at Maidstone Road.

Emmanuel Oloyede headed in Matt Bodkin’s cross to put Chats ahead before Bradshaw and Jack Evans put the hosts 3-0 ahead at half-time.

Johan Caney-Bryan pulled one back early in the second half but Chatham doubled their tally, Bradshaw and substitutes Daniel Thompson and Callum Peck all on target.

On-loan Dover forward George Nikaj netted twice for Ashford as they kept pace with Chatham at the top, winning 3-1 at Sittingbourne.

Nikaj took his Nuts & Bolts tally to nine and while Donvieve Jones pulled a goal back, Gil Carvalho’s second-half goal ensured there were few alarms after the break.

Former leaders Ramsgate drop to third, albeit still level on points with Chatham and Ashford, after a 4-2 home reverse to Sevenoaks.

The visitors fielded four new signings and it had the desired effect. Tijan Jadama gave Rams an early lead but Freddie Parker and Brad Wilson scored twice in as many minutes to put Sevenoaks in charge.

It took Josh Bohui just four minutes to make an impact, the former Manchester United academy man collecting the ball in his own half before running through to score.

Ashley Miller pulled a goal back for Ramsgate but the returning Joe Bingham netted a fourth goal to round off an impressive win for the visitors.

VCD suffered a third successive league defeat, 5-3 at home to Chichester despite goals from Andrew Allassani, Jordan Greaves and Anthony Adesite.

Beckenham lost ground with a 2-1 defeat at Haywards Heath despite Louie Theophanous’s first-half equaliser but Cray Valley are up to eighth spot following a 3-2 home win over Three Bridges.

A topsy-turvy affair saw Cray lead early on through Hassan Ibrahiym but Giani Ashley and Kevin Rivera put Bridges ahead at half-time.

Second-half goals from Daniel Bennett and Ali Tumkaya handed Cray the points, although both sides were reduced to 10 men late on. Bridges had Callum Donaghey sent-off while Cray defender Finn O’Mara also saw red.

Faversham dropped to the foot of the table on goal difference after a 6-1 thrashing at Whitehawk.

The hosts raced into a 3-0 lead after 24 minutes thanks to Charlie Lambert, Rob O’Toole and Nathan Cooper.

Brad Schafer pulled one back but second-half goals from Joel Daly, Charlie Harris and Rob O’Toole made it two defeats out of two in the league for new boss Simon Austin.

Corinthian remain on four points after a 1-0 loss at Lancing, who scored just before half-time through Thomas Butler.

Herne Bay remain in the Isthmian Premier’s bottom four after a 4-2 defeat at Enfield Town despite Marcel Barrington scoring twice.

Bay fielded debutant keeper Josh Strizovic – on loan from Dagenham – but couldn’t keep out the hosts, former Dartford and Welling man Lyle Della-Verde netting twice.

Ben Greenhalgh’s seventh goal of the season for Margate was not enough as they went down 3-1 at home to third-placed Hornchurch.