Sittingbourne and Chatham played out an entertaining goalless draw on Saturday in Isthmian South East.

An even first half saw in-form Donvieve Jones have a goal disallowed for Sittingbourne while Chatham skipper Jack Evans hit the woodwork before both keepers made crucial late saves to earn their sides a share of the spoils from the Kent derby.

The Brickies were first to threaten at Woodstock on four minutes, with no home player able to connect with a dangerous in-swinging free-kick from the left.

Five minutes later, however, Kevin Hake’s men nearly broke the deadlock with their first chance. An Evans effort took a deflection before crashing against the crossbar.

Josh Ogunseye then drove down the right next and cut inside in the 11th minute, however home goalkeeper Matt Cafer made a comfortable save and kept hold of the ball.

But Nick Davis’ side responded and they thought they had taken the lead as they found the net with 16 minutes played. Away keeper Ben Bridle-Card saved well to deny striker Mario Quiassaca a debut goal and Jones stroked home but the linesman’s flag denied right-sided player Jones.

At the other end, on the half hour mark, Chats winger Prince Domafriyie drove down the left and crossed but Cafer gathered well under pressure.

Sittingbourne’s Bagusan Graham became the first player to get booked as he kicked the ball away after a decision went against them.

Two minutes later, experienced midfielder Evans again went close for Chatham with a long-range strike which whistled past Cafer’s right-hand post.

Kieron McCann’s debut for the hosts came to an abrupt end in the first period. He came off and was replaced by fellow midfielder Jason Banton.

Right on the stroke of half-time, a mix-up in the Brickies back-line presented striker Dan Bradshaw with an opportunity. But his shot could only find the side-netting at the end of a goalless first half in front of a 382-strong crowd.

Chats made a half-time change which saw Matt Bodkin come on for Domafriyie and they made a strong start to the second half.

Just four minutes into the second period, Sittingbourne made a second substitution, Andrew Dythe being replaced by Alex Addai.

The knocks - and changes - kept coming on as the injured Ogunseye limped off in the 57th minute for the away side. Jordi Robins coming on for them.

Sittingbourne’s Jones once again went close as he headed into the side-netting at the back post, shortly before the hour mark.

On 66 minutes, Gibraltar international shot-stopper Cafer had to be alert to tip over a cross-cum-shot from the right by Chatham’s Ike Orji which looked like it was going to drop underneath the crossbar.

Chats player-assistant Danny Kedwell - playing in a deep-lying role in midfield - reached Fabio Saraiva’s corner three minutes later, only to head wide at the far post.

With 10 minutes to go, the home team went incredibly close. Evans sent in a free-kick for fellow ex-Gillingham man Kedwell who looked to have found the far corner, only for the 39-year-old to be denied by a wonderful fingertip save from Cafer.

With both teams now searching for a winner, Sittingbourne’s Quiassaca looked to round Bridle-Card in the 83rd minute but the goalkeeper stayed big to make a save.

The late chances kept coming, this time Saraiva heading Bodkins’ right-wing cross against the post while Evans went to ground in the area.

But the Brickies were having their chances, too. Substitute Lewis Chambers passed to the influential Jones who was thwarted by another big stop from Bridle-Card with four minutes of normal time to go.

Evans dragged wide once again as the match headed into stoppage-time.

But neither side could find a winner, in a match which had virtually everything but a goal, with Evans booked just after the final whistle had gone.

The hosts named both new signings, former Folkestone and Margate man McCann and Quiassaca, in their starting line-up. The pair had been due to be in their squad for Tuesday’s Kent Senior Cup tie with Sevenoaks but the Brickies’ opponents forfeited the match due to injuries.

Chats made one change from the side knocked out of the FA Trophy by Stowmarket, which saw Emmanuel Oloyede replace Mikey Dalton.

Sittingbourne: Cafer, Jones, Dythe (Addai 49mins), Gorham, Puemo, Pont, Warren, Osman (Chambers 80mins), McCann (Banton 39mins), Quiassaca, Graham. Subs not used: Deakin, Dasofunjo.

Chatham Town: Bridle-Card, Orji, Cooper, Butler, Ogunseye (Robins 57min), Evans, Bradshaw, Saraiva, Kedwell, Oloyede (Gilbert 75mins), Domafriyie (Bodkin 46mins). Subs not used: Beckwith, Irefin.

Referee: Will Briers.

Attendance: 382.