Midfielder Fabio Saraiva earned himself an unexpected clean-sheet bonus after taking over goalkeeping duties for Chatham Town late in the game at the weekend.

Saraiva came off the bench at Corinthian to replace Ben Bridle-Card after he went off following a nasty-looking collision with an opposition forward and team-mate Simon Cooper. Card is on the mend now after the head injury but there was concern as he departed in an ambulance.

Chats then grabbed a last-gasp winner through newcomer Ollie Sotoyinbo - the only goal of the game. It was the striker’s first start for Chats after two previous substitute appearances.

“It was nice to get back to winning ways at a place that’s always difficult to go to,” said Chats manager Kevin Hake, having gone four games without a win prior to the weekend Isthmian South East fixture.

“Corinthian set themselves up well and are difficult to beat, especially at home. We stuck to our game plan and it was nice to be rewarded with the win as results of late have not always matched the performance.

“Full credit needs to go to the lads as the game was made even harder after Ben went off in an ambulance. Thankfully Ben is okay and on the road to recovery now but it was worrying at the time.

“There weren’t many volunteers but fair play to Fabio as he was brilliant and even earned himself a clean sheet bonus!”

Bridle-Card tweeted after the game: “Great result for the boys and glad the Portuguese cat saw the clean sheet through! Long night in A&E but came out with the all clear - many thanks to Chatham Town and Corinthian staff for looking after me.”

Chatham were looking at different goalkeeping options during the week as it's expected Bridle-Card will be missing following the head injury.

With leaders Ramsgate drawing at Sheppey on Saturday, it allowed Chats to gain ground on the pacesetters, heading into the weekend two points off top spot and with a game in hand. Beckenham are a point further back in third.

Chatham are at home to Sittingbourne this Saturday.

“Results went our way so we still find ourselves with everything to play for with 11 league games to go,” said Hake.

“We have a tough game against Sittingbourne, a team who are coming off the back of a 5-0 win.

“There will be no easy games from now until the end of the season.”

*Chatham are at home to Corinthian on Tuesday night in the Kent Senior Cup Quarter-Final and the winner will play Ebbsfleet United or Welling. Margate or Cray Valley will play Ramsgate or Tonbridge Angels in the other semi-final. This year's final will be played at Priestfield Stadium.