With manager Darren Anslow not in the dugout due to illness, assistant Sam Clarke-Keen took charge of Phoenix with Marcus Elliott and Ernie Cheeseman coming in for Harvey Browne and Izzy Jones.

After an even start to the game, Sheppey scored with their first effort on target. Perri Iandolo missed a tackle and Eitel Goueth shrugged off a challenge before unleashing a powerful strike from 20 yards past Taite Holtam to make it 1-0 to the Ites.

Phoenix responded well, with Deshane Dalling setting up Elliott in the 18th minute, but his effort was well saved. Moments later, Richard Pingling headed over from a fine Iandolo cross as Phoenix began to find their rhythm.

However, Sheppey doubled their lead in the 32nd minute when a short corner caught the Phoenix defence flat-footed, allowing Dan Bradshaw to fire home.

Despite trailing, Phoenix created several chances before half-time, including a brilliant looping volley from Kiye Martin that was superbly saved by Aiden Prall and a Pingling volley over the bar following a badly defended corner.

Phoenix regrouped after the interval, with Izzy Jones replacing Marcus Elliott and tried to find some control. Goalkeeper Taite Holtam made a crucial save early in the second half, denying Bradshaw's header.

With 23-minutes-remaining, Phoenix clawed their way back into the contest. Will Efambe’s surging run down the left found Pingling, who clinically side-footed home to make it 2-1.

Buoyed by the goal, Phoenix nearly equalised a minute later when Jack Turner’s ferocious 20-yard drive was tipped away by Sheppey keeper Prall.

Phoenix came agonisingly close to a leveller in the 74th minute when Iandolo’s cross found Kiye Martin, whose header rattled the crossbar.

Despite a period of sustained pressure, Sheppey’s defence held firm, and Holtam was called into action again to save a close-range header in the 77th minute.

As Phoenix pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Sheppey capitalised in stoppage time, breaking away to score their third and seal a 3-1 victory against the run of play and clinch all three points for Sheppey.

Phoenix Sports: Holtam, Turner, Cheeseman (Clarke 60), Grieveson, Dalling (Duah-Kessie 60), Iandolo, Pingling, Martin (c), Efambe (Thompson 80), Elliott (Jones 46), Pritchard