Injuries restricted Kennington’s hopes of causing an FA Cup First Qualifying Round upset at Sheppey.

Southern Counties East Ton were missing player-of-the-month James Haylock-Ashdown and Liam Middleton in attack, while the energy of Charlie Owen was a major loss in midfield.

They frustrated their Isthmian South East hosts in the first half but two goals in five minutes after the break saw the Ites take control. Fin Dent replied but Ton were beaten 3-1.

“We’ve been struggling in recent weeks in an attacking sense after losing a couple of players,” said boss Dan Scorer.

“Do you try and find replacements or do you hold out and wait for them to come back?

“We’ve tried to hold out but it’s meant we’ve had to change our shape slightly.

“We’ve had to be more defensive and try and hit teams on the counter-attack, as opposed to being nice and aggressive from the off.

“In the games against Whitstable (3-0 league defeat) and Sheppey, we defended brilliantly for 45 minutes but once both sides scored it was enough for them to kick on.

“I was slightly more impressed with the way we reacted against Sheppey because we got a goal back at 2-0 down and made a game of it until they got their third.

“The firepower Sheppey have got and their quality in midfield, I can’t see them not making the play-offs.

“They’re such a strong side, they move the ball with great energy and great intensity, and while we lost, it was a free hit for us and we gave a good account of ourselves.”

Kennington return to league action at Rusthall on Saturday (3pm), followed by Hollands & Blair on Tuesday (7.45pm).

The Blair game was due to be played at Homelands but has been switched due to further delays in completing the new 3G pitch.

“It’s two games we have to feel confident going into,” said Scorer.

“Our first three games - Corinthian, Punjab and Whitstable - we’ve only taken one point but they’re all sides who are favourites to be in the play-offs.

“But Rusthall and Hollands & Blair are probably in a similar position to us in that we’re looking to go about our business and see where we are around Christmas.

“It’s frustrating having to switch the Blair game but we know we will get a run of home games eventually.

“We’ve just got to be patient.”