Chatham’s run of away fixtures in the Isthmian Premier Division started with a 2-0 defeat at Margate on Tuesday night.

The midweek trip to Hartsdown Park was the first of five successive away games in the league for Chats.

A questionable opener on Tuesday night, following an audacious lob, was followed by a well-taken second as Margate took the points against a Chatham side unable to make the most of their own chances in the match.

Reacting to Tuesday night’s defeat, Chats boss Kevin Hake said: “It was disappointing not to get anything out of the game. On the balance of play we created more chances but ultimately they scored two great goals that even Jack Evans would be proud of!

“From what the boys tell me, and the video footage suggests, it doesn’t look like a goal. But fair play to the lad for even trying it and for that alone it deserves to go in.”

Ben Greenhalgh scored the opener with a lob from just over the halfway line. The Chats keeper tipped in onto the bar but it was adjudged that the ball then crept over the line. Steve Cawley got the second.

“The second one was a great finish also that’s worthy of winning any game,” Hake conceded.

“That’s the league and the standard we now find ourselves in.

Chats scored late on to clinch a 2-2 draw at home to Carshalton Athletic last Saturday, infront of a crowd of 1,758

Evans’ stunning opener - pinged in over the keeper on the half-volley from 40-odd yards - was quickly cancelled out by Oluwabunmi Babajide’s 28th minute penalty.

The visitors went ahead before the break as Lexus Beeden netted.

But Chats took a point from the contest after Ashley Nzala scored from close range after a scramble in the box with two minutes of normal time remaining.

Hake’s men travel to Concord Rangers this Saturday and visit Hashtag United on Monday night.

Defeat on Tuesday at Margate left Chatham sitting second in the Premier Division, six points adrift of unbeaten leaders Hornchurch.

The manager said: “We’ve got two away games to look forward to now and they will be no different to what we faced against Margate.

“We need to show a reaction now in these games if we are to continue our great start to the season.”