DULWICH Hamlet had a deflating start to the New Year after Chatham Towncame from behind to score a last-minute winner at The Bauvill Stadium.
After a goal-less first half in front of a 2,588 attendance, Adrian Clifton gave Hakan Hayrettin’s side the lead in the 53rd minute.
But the Chats hit back through Chris Dickson on the hour and Reece Butler earned all three points for the hosts in the 90th minute.
Luke Wanadio went close to giving Dulwich the lead against Town in the fourteenth minute only for his attempt from range to go just wide.
Former Millwall midfielder Alfie Allen had the game’s first shot on target as goalkeeper Ben Bridle-Card saved his long-distance effort.
Dulwich were on top and Manny Parry was next to threaten but the Chatham goal survived intact.
The Hamlet spurned another opportunity seven minutes before half-time when Bridle-Card saved form Clifton.
The hosts then went close to making a breakthrough when Dickson shot from a tight angle and Will Lakin saved.
Dulwich finally beat Bridle-Card when Clifton headed home Wanadio’s cross.
But then the game was turned on its head in the 60th minute when this time Dickson went around Lakin to finish into an empty net.
Eight minutes later, Lakin tipped Jack Evans’ volley from 30 yards around the post.
The much busier Lakin then denied Ash Nzala before being beaten late on. A free-kick into the Dulwich box wasn’t fully cleared and Harvey Broad’s shot landed at the feet of Butler who tapped in from three yards.
It was only Dulwich’s second defeat in their last fourteen Isthmian League Premier Division games and their play-off hopes have taken a hit as they are now nine points off seventh.
Dulwich drew 1-1 against Horsham last weekend. Luke Wanadio equalised for the hosts a minute before the break in front of an attendance of 2,796 at Champion Hill.
Charlie Hester-Cook had given the visitors the lead in the 43rd minute.
Meanwhile, Miquel Scarlett, Hussein Siklawi and Jack Ruddy all departed the club late last month.
Hayrettin said: “I’d like to thank all three of the lads for all they’ve done for the club this season. Whilst it hasn’t worked out here at Dulwich, I have no doubt they’ll go on to have good footballing careers elsewhere.
“I’d like to wish them all the best going forward and look forward to following their individual career journeys from afar.”
The Hamlet host Hashtag United in the league this Saturday at 3pm.