Chatham Town defeated narrowly in FA Trophy

Chatham Town have exited the FA Trophy by the narrowest of margins after falling to a 1-0 defeat against Southend United, a team playing two divisions above them.

The Chats, who are in the seventh tier of English football, hosted Southend in the fifth round of the competition after beating Carlisle United in the previous round.

Despite every effort to progress to the last 16, potentially just three games away from the final at Wembley, Chatham Town bow out following a game defined by penalties.

Matty Macarthur was denied from 12 yards by Southend goalkeeper Owen Mason, while Gus Scott-Morriss dispatched the rebound after his penalty was saved by Chatham Town's Nathan Harvey.

Prior to Saturday's game fans and staff were hoping for an upset at the Bauvill Stadium, having overcome Carlisle in the previous round.

Paul Rodgers, who credits the club with saving his life, said: "The Carlisle United match was not the best ever game I have seen when supporting Chatham, but it is very high.

"The last five or six years following the club have provided some magical moments and this season has been another of highlights, like reaching the FA Cup first round proper for the first time in 97 years."

Club director and general manager Gaz Hake had previously said the game means "much more than everything" to Chatham Town.

"Games like this is why we live and breathe football," said Hake, brother of Kevin Hake, the club's manager and owner. "I'd rather be the underdog.

"Seeing the whole town proud of the club - kids wearing tops and wanting pictures with players and grown adults crying - means so much for us."

He said the match could be the "perfect storm" for the Kent club.

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