Cliff Akurang made a winning start in his first game as Heybridge Swifts manager.
A first-half stoppage time header from Aaron Gayle was enough to seal the points in a Ryman League division one north game of few chances for either side.
The game had been a very even affair throughout the half but as half-time approached it was Heybridge that went into the dressing rooms leading as Gayle rose highest to meet a Ryan Boswell corner in first-half injury-time.
Chatham forced a series of corners in the second half before Owen Kabodi had a good chance.
Heybridge keeper Danny Sambridge did well to save Lawrence Collins’ free-kick ten minutes from time.
But the visitors held on to grab the win.
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