It proved honours even between Chatham and Isthmian Premier leaders Dover at the Bauvill Stadium on Saturday.

Chats captain Jack Evans put them into a deserved lead in the second half in emphatic fashion.

But that advantage was to last less than 15 minutes. Dover’s top scorer George Nikaj equalised as it finished 1-1 and both teams extended their respective unbeaten runs.

Kevin Hake’s men had created the first opportunity. Evans saw his third-minute overhead kick deflected safely through to goalkeeper Mitch Walker off defender Tamas Amgbaduba.

Two minutes later, away midfielder George Wilkinson sliced wide with his long-range shot in front of a crowd of 1,903.

The 20-year-old then became the first player in referee Gerry Heron’s book for a late challenge in midfield.

As openings were made at both ends, Dover skipper Walker made a simple save to deny winger John Ufuah - shortly after Nikaj had sent a left-foot strike whistling past goalkeeper Joe Wright’s right-hand post at the other end.

Evans, 31, again went close for Chats with 21 minutes played. He poked wide after he had made a timely run into the penalty area.

Shortly after the half-hour mark, centre-back Reece Butler nodded an Evans corner straight at Whites’ keeper.

Next to go close for the hosts was the recalled Jordy Mongoy, cracking a shot against the crossbar from Jamie Yila’s lay-off on 35 minutes.

Experienced defender Simon Cooper also failed to hit the target at the far post from an Evans corner in first-half injury time.

Dover manager Jake Leberl opted to make a half-time substitution that saw forward Francis Mampolo replace the cautioned Wilkinson.

But three minutes after the restart, it was Chatham again on the attack. Midfielder Stuart O’Keefe fired against Walker’s right-hand post before Evans’ stooping header forced a save.

The home side finally took a deserved lead in the 51st minute as Evans beautifully curled in for his fourth goal of the season. That came after Chats had played on despite an off-the-ball incident between one of their players and Dover’s Alfie Matthews.

It almost got better for the Medway team, only for Walker to smartly tip wide an effort and midfielder Jordy Robins then dragged wide.

And those missed chances proved costly on 64 minutes. Nikaj stroked past Wright for his 14th goal this term from Mampolo’s left-wing delivery after a flowing move to get the visitors level.

Three minutes later, the home keeper was at full stretch to tip wide Ruben Soares-Junior’s 20-yard shot as the pendulum swung.

Chats forward Yila was booked with 13 minutes to play for an adjudged dive as he hit the deck after he had twisted and turned his way into the penalty box.

Five minutes later, the hosts’ keeper, Wright, was only booked by Mr Heron after he had raced out of his penalty box and fouled Mampolo.

The 87th minute saw Evans fail to hit the target, both sides now pushing for a winning goal.

Soares-Junior’s stoppage-time header lacked power from Mampolo’s cross and was saved by Wright in the final action of the game.

The hosts had made three changes from their team, which drew 1-1 at Billericay on Tuesday.

Midfielder Evans came back into their starting line-up alongside Cooper and Mongoy while striker Freddie Sears dropped to the substitutes’ bench.

Defender Sid Nelson and forward Kareem Isiaka missed out altogether, as did ex-Dover defenders Bailey Akehurst and Charlie Naylor.

The sole switch for the visitors from their midweek 1-0 derby victory at Folkestone saw defender Jacob Mensah make his first league start since he rejoined the club as he came in for the injured Joe Tennent.

Chatham, now unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, will host Horsham in the league on Tuesday.

Whites will be at home against Canvey Island next weekend after a free midweek as they look to extend their six-match unbeaten league streak.

Chatham Town: Wright, Scarlett, Aidoo, Robins (Sears 83mins), Butler, O’Keefe, Evans, Yila, Cooper, Mongoy (Liburd 83mins), Ufuah (Sene-Richardson 75mins). Subs not used: Bello, Boadi.

Dover Athletic: Walker, Sesay, Cocoracchio, Baptiste, Matthews, Nikaj, Soares-Junior, T.Amgbaduba (Gyebi 94mins), Pont, Wilkinson (Mampolo 46mins), Mensah. Subs not used: E.Amgbaduba, Holness, Young.

Referee: Gerry Heron.

Attendance: 1,903.