Erith Town 1 (0) v Sittingbourne 1 (0)

Report by Mike Green

A stoppage time penalty from Erith Town substitute James Miles denied FA Trophy heroes Sittingbourne three crucial points on Tuesday (4th February) evening, as the race for the Isthmian South East took another twist. 

The Brickies dominated possession throughout and just as it looked like they had overcome a brilliant battling display from the home side when Ayman El-Mogharbel powered through to score his first goal of the season with just two minutes left to edge Sittingbourne in front. But in the final moments of stoppage time, rare defensive indecision at the back from the Brickies saw James Taylor edge through before being brought down and Miles sent keeper James Batt the wrong way from the spot to grab what seemed to be a very unlikely point. 

An intriguing battle under the Thamesmead floodlights saw the visitors have the better chances in a very tight opening half – Mitch May was denied by keeper Conor Clark; Joe Boachie glanced a header wide; Henry Sinai stroked a free-kick just wide and on the stroke of the break Liam Smith headed a Jack Steventon header over the bar. 

A resolute home side just wouldn't wilt and whilst they didn't really test Batt as his back line were as tight as they were at Southend, they were always in the game, and indeed the first chance of the second period fell to half time sub-Ollie Milton who will be disappointed that his header didn't hit the target. 

May was again denied by a smart Clark save, before both keeper and striker upped their game for the next chance – Troy Howard raced onto a Liam Smith ball down the flank, and his centre saw May reposition himself to get a low shot in that the keeper magnificently palmed round the post. 

Sittingbourne then suffered a major blow when Jack Steventon went down with a knee injury – a possible dislocation – and was forced off – but the Brickies kept probing and only a breathtaking Clark save denied El-Mogharbel after a charging run and shot that was destined for the top right corner of the home net. 

As the game entered its final stages, the game actually got more stretched as the visitors weekend efforts began to show and Milton went close for the home side. 

With just two minutes left Codey Cosgrave found El-Mogharbel with a super touch and the little midfielder steered the ball wide of Clark and into the net sending the large number of travelling Brickies behind the goal wild. 

Just as it appeared that that would be that a long ball was played in Taylors direction but as the defence hesitated on two headers, the ball ran to the Dockers skipper who was brought down and whilst he was dusting himself down, Miles stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to earn Erith the point that perhaps their battling resistance warranted. 

Sittingbourne Played: Batt, Jones, Lukombo, El-Mogharbel, Steventon (Arthur), Smith, Howard (Beckford), Boachie, May, Kingsford (Cosgrave) and Sinai (Bessey-Saldanha). Subs not used: Earle.

NEXT MATCH: AWAY - Steyning Town in the Isthmian League, South East - Saturday 8th February, kick off at 3:00pm.