Boss Kevin Hake wants his Chatham side to put pressure on those above them in the Isthmian Premier table as this season’s league standings start to take shape.

Chatham, last campaign’s play-off finalists, find themselves 15th in the division.

But they appear to have found some form of late. They secured a 1-0 FA Trophy first-round victory at Bowers & Pitsea last weekend.

Chats will aim to continue building that momentum when they welcome Lewes to the Bauvill Stadium this Saturday and visit Billericay on Tuesday.

“The games are coming thick and fast now so it’s a good time to keep this momentum going by playing back-to-back games,” said Hake.

“By the end of November, the league table will start to take shape and it’s important we put pressure on the teams that are above us, going into the Christmas period.”

Chatham got the better of ex-manager James Collins as captain Jack Evans converted a penalty in first-half stoppage-time for the game’s only goal at Bowers, who had defender Dexter Peter red-carded before the interval.

Hake’s troops are on their best-ever FA Trophy run and will visit National League South side Slough, who knocked them out of the FA Cup 3-0 at the third qualifying round stage last month, in the Trophy second round on Saturday, November 16.

“It’s nice for the good run of form to continue, progressing further into the second round of the Trophy,” noted Hake. “I’m told it’s the furthest we’ve ever gone so the lads should be proud.

“We were good value for the win and, while we would have liked to score more, there is something comforting about winning 1-0 - especially away from home.

“Bowers are a well-organised team and, on their own ground in particular, they are difficult to beat.

“We know we’ll face a tough game away against Slough, who we recently played in the FA Cup, in the next round.”

The FA Trophy tie saw defender Valckx Fernandes, who joined from Bowers last month, make a substitute appearance against his old team.

Velocity Cup holders Chatham progressed to the fourth round with a 1-0 win at Isthmian South Central Ascot United on Tuesday.

Forward Kareem Isiaka scored midway through the first half as their unbeaten run extended to five games.