We were lucky, admits Miles - EXCLUSIVE

Phil Miles was beaming with pride tonight as his Chatham Town side became the first team to beat Dover Athletic in the Ryman League this season, writes Stephen McCartney.

Darren Smith snatched the only goal of the game at the Sea France Crabble Stadium to stun the Dover faithful.

Dover, unbeaten in their first eight games, could have climbed to the top of the Ryman League Division One South table, had they won by three clear goals tonight, but Miles’ men had other ideas.

But Chatham rode their luck, as they held out to secure their third successive win, having knocked giants Kingstonian out of the FA Trophy, and beat Metropolitan Police 2-0 in the league, during the past nine days.

“I’m proud of every single one of them,” Miles said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“We rode our luck in the end, they hit the crossbar, John (Whitehouse) made a couple of good saves.

“We got bodies in the way, they missed a couple of good chances.”

Miles was pleased that his side withstood a barrage of attacks to steal the points.

“It went for us tonight,” he admitted. “We came to defend and hopefully wait for that one chance, it came, we took it, and I’m just so pleased for the players.

“Our last three games we’ve had three great results. I’ve just asked them to continue that and put a little run together.”

Miles’ men are capable of pulling off “shock” results, having defeated Maidstone United and Dartford on the road last season.

“People will look at that and say it was a shock result,” admitted Miles. “Every manager will say they’re capable of winning games, but I’m confident that my set of players can beat anyone - and we defended superbly tonight.

“I’m sure the Dover people are going to say we were lucky. Man United were lucky when they won the treble. We rode our luck and sometimes in games you do.

“Anyone who saw the game tonight will say Dover created the most chances, and couldn’t take them.

“We held on at the end. We will take the three points and crack on.”

Visit Chatham Town's website:  www.chathamtownfc.net

As www.kentishfootball.co.uk wasn't at this game tonight, visit www.dafctv.co.uk for match highlights.