by Alex Hoad

Justin Luchford admitted his Whitstable Town side are well behind his target for them but remains optimistic they will find their form.

Town slipped to 18th in a tight Ryman League, Division 1 South table after losing their third of four Kent derbies so far this season, 2-1 at home to Sittingbourne on Saturday.

The Oystermen now face a testing two games with a trip to Worthing on Saturday and the visit of fellow promotion hopefuls Dulwich Hamlet on Tuesday.

Luchford (pictured) admitted: "I’m not looking at the table yet but my main problem is that we have lost five games already.

"We really shouldn’t have, we have led 2-0 in a couple of those games and created so many chances."

He added: "We are nine points behind where I wanted us to be from our first nine games, given the teams we were playing.

"I am hopeful that we will pick up some points but I want four points from these next two games."

He said: "If you discount the Kent Senior Cup – which I do – then we have won five and only lost two of our last eight games.

"I’m still hopeful that things will iron out."

Town did progress to the third round of the Isthmian League Cup by beating 10-man Hythe Town 4-3 at the Belmont on Tuesday.

Rob Gilman is set to leave the club and rejoin Bromley, who have submitted a seven-day approach for their former skipper.

Dane Luchford (hamstring) could miss a couple of weeks, while Shane Hamshare (knee) could return on Tuesday and Stuart Vahid is still a week away from fitness.

Do you think the Oystermen can turn the tide in the next two games? Have your say below.