Alex Read's 90th-minute winner seals a priceless three points

With the days getting shorter, and the nights longer as autumn gets ready to turn into winter, and a Harlow Town side missing a couple of their most important players - step forward striker Alex Read to rescue three points with a 90th-minute winner, and stretch the Hawks' unbeaten run in Ryman division one north.

There's still a hell of a long way to go, but these three points on Tuesday night, from a game that Harlow really did not play particularly well in, could be absolutely massive.

Striker Billy Jones, signed from Enfield 1893, was named on the bench by Hawks boss Danny Chapman.

Harlow were without influential central defender Josh Urquhart and midfielder James Smith, both out with work commitments.

Luke Cuthbert came in at the back, along with Robbie Martin.

The Hawks went behind on 10 minutes when Mason Bloomfield scrambled the ball home after poor defending from a left-wing cross.

Chatham could have had a second when Bloomfield played in Austin Gacheru but with only Harlow keeper Ed Thompson to beat he slotted the ball wide of the right post.

The Hawks defence was being cut to shreds and only a brilliant last-ditch tackle from skipper Fabion Simms prevented a second goal.

Shane Stamp's tame shot which was saved by Chatham keeper Lee Kidman and that was all the hosts has to show for a poor opening 25 minutes.

It wasn't until just before half-time that Harlow had another effort on goal when Martin's cheeky lob from long range was flicked over the bar by the Chatham keeper.

From the ensuing corner, Simms' goalbound header was cleared off the line as it looked destined for the bottom left corner.

After a lacklustre first 10 minutes of the second half, the hosts looked as though they had found a way back into the match when Martin's cross from the left on 57 minutes found the head of Read from close range but incredibly the ball hit the underside of the bar, bounced down and was cleared.

Most of the fans thought Harlow had scored and started to cheer, but Chatham were able to clear with their lead intact.

But Chatham did not heed the warning and Harlow levelled on 62 minutes when Stamp's ball across the box from the left found Read and he teed up Dave Cowley who swept a left-footed shot from 10 yards through a crowded box and into the bottom right corner.

After a series of awful challenges on Read which continued for most of the game, the referee finally decided to bring out the yellow cards when a rake down the striker's calf by Brad Potter was spotted with 15 minutes left.

Read, who hit a club record-breaking tally of goals last season, is certainly a marked man this term, and Harlow can only hope officials stop turning a blind eye.

But the Kent visitors were not done and Joe Loft's left-wing cross was somehow miscued by Bloomfield with the goal at his mercy with 10 minutes left when he could have snatched a winner.

Chatham went close again with less than five minutes left as a long-range low shot from substitute Luke Medley was superbly tipped away by Hawks keeper Ed Thompson.

Then with a minute left Martin teed up Cowley and his exquisite curled left-footed shot was brilliantly tipped away by Lee Kidman.

But Harlow had one last chance in them and as the clock struck 90 and Chatham failed to clear the ensuing corner, Martin swung his left boot to plant a deep cross from the left to the far post and Read nodded the ball over the line to put the hosts in front.

In injury-time Jones came on for his debut, replacing the hero Read as Harlow managed to cling on to three priceless points.

And with leaders Needham Market losing at home to Heybridge, it really was a night to celebrate.

Thanks to Alan Scott from the Harlow Star for providing the match report