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.