BAY TURN THE TIDE IN KENT

HERNE Bay fought back from two goals down to record their third Kent derby win in four games over Sittingbourne.

Bay remain bottom of South East Division but showed enough fighting spirit to be confident of continuing to improve in the second half of the season.

Sittingbourne were two goals to the good within 12 minutes, David Smith confidently dispatching an effort after Chris Webber had put him through, and Henry Woods sweeping a loose ball home from 20 yards.

Herne Bay were given a lifeline with a 33rd minute penalty converted by Jake Embery, and recieved a further reprieve when the referee overruled his award of a Sittingbourne penalty two minutes later.

The visitors equalised midway through the second half with a wonder goal by substitute Ronald Sobowale, who ran from the halfway line and dribbled past four defenders to score.

And they won it three minutes from time when Connor Wilkin - one of eight former Sittingbourne players in the side - scored from close range.

Hythe Town also claimed bragging rights in the Garden of England with a 2-0 victory over county foes Whitstable Town.

Hythe made the perfect start in the local wrangle when top-scorer Zak Ansah curled a lovely shot into the top corner on five minutes.

Whitstable’s task then became that much harder when centre-forward Sam Smith was dismissed just after the 15-minute mark for an alleged stamp on Hythe keeper George Kamurai.

Despite the man advantage, Hythe could not get past their former stopper Dan Eason, who made a succession of good saves either side of halftime.

The Oysterboys soaked up lots of pressure and with ten minutes to go, were still in with a shout but a poor challenge by James Morrish deservedly brought his second yellow card of the afternoon.

Kieron Campbell finally grabbed the second with the last kick of the game, heading a long ball over Eason for a simple tap-in. Elsewhere, Three

Bridges beat Whyteleafe 3-2 in a thrilling encounter.

Toyo Adeshina netted for Bridges in the 56th minute after good work from Ibby Akanbi.

But Whyteleafe levelled terms two minutes later after a good strike from Matthew O’Donoghue from the edge of the area.

It was deja vu in the 84th and 86th minute, George Gaskin firing in a great strike from range to put Bridges 2-1 up but then Bryan Akongo fumbled the ball in from a tame cross.

The game looked likely to end in a draw but in the 90th minute, Brannon O’Neill scored in sensational fashion to see Bridges claim all three points.

The league served up another classic as Gregory Cundle’s injurytime penalty earned East

Grinstead Town a 3-3

draw with Haywards Heath Town.

Cundle put the play-off chasing visitors ahead six minutes in and Drew Cooney sent his side to the brink of a fourth straight victory with a second on 16 minutes.

But they shipped three goals in 20 first-half minutes, Karl Akehurst, Callum Saunders and Byron Napper turning the tide dramatically.

Shellshocked, the Wasps toiled in the second half but a fortunate late penalty handed Cundle the chance to pluck a dramatic point – which he took with aplomb.

Meanwhile Ramsgate snapped their four-game losing slump with a 1-0 win over Faversham Town.

Ryan Cooper struck the bar as Faversham dominated early on.

But Jake McKenzie slotted home in the 69th minute to earn the hosts a welcome first win in six.

A Freddie Parker strike two minutes from time helped Cray Wanderers extend their lead at the top of the league, beating

Sevenoaks Town 1-0.