Boss Tommy Warrilow described Faversham’s surprise FA Vase defeat on Saturday as one of the worst of his managerial career.

The title-chasing side were one of the favourites to go all the way in the competition, only to succumb to a 1-0 loss at home against Southern Counties East Premier Division rivals Erith & Belvedere.

Town dominated for much of the third-round tie but couldn’t find a way through and conceded the game’s only goal as forward Tyler Whitlock netted in the 80th minute.

“It hurts,” admitted Warrilow. “I’ve been a manager for a long time - and this is up there.

“I thought we would have a bit of a go in the Vase this year. We had enough chances to win the game, we just didn’t take them.

“Obviously the weather didn’t help, but that was the same for both sides. I think we had 11 long throws, as well as corners and free-kicks, but we couldn’t get on the end of them.

“There’s 10 shots where we haven’t even hit the target. They stayed in the game, hit us on the counter-attack and, unfortunately, they got their goal.

“It’s certainly not one I will just be sweeping under the carpet.”

Forwards Tashi-Jay Kwayie and Johan Caney-Bryan have already scored more than 25 goals for Faversham between them this season.

While Warrilow felt neither were at their best, there are more goal-scoring threats in a talented squad than just those two.

He said: “People are entitled to have off-days. You’re going to have that.

“Unfortunately, I thought both of the two forwards were not quite at the races but I’m looking at the set-pieces, as well. There’s going to be more games like that this season.

“I wouldn’t even say we were poor on Saturday, just our finishing and our end product wasn’t right. We had the lion’s share of the game but we have come away with nothing in the end.

“It was a massive shock result but, every time we lose, it seems that’s the case. Full credit to Erith & Belvedere.

“I said to their management I’d have done the exact same as they did and I have no issues with their celebrations after the game. I wish them all the best in the next round.

“We just need to stick together.”

While the match was played on Faversham’s 3G pitch at Salters Lane during Storm Darragh, Warrilow added: “Pitches, conditions or whatever, all I would say is it’s never going to be a pretty game.

“But I would never say ‘The pitch was rubbish’ - even if it had been - because it’s the same for both teams.”

Minor knocks for winger Kieron Campbell and right-back Tariq Ossai meant both started the match on the substitutes’ bench while midfielders Bradley Schafer and Jarred Trespaderne were cup-tied, leaving centre-half Ben Gorham to move over to right-back.

But Warrilow said: “Ben Gorham has been outstanding at right-back.

“That wasn’t really the issue on Saturday. Tariq didn’t train last week because he’s had a little twinge, but putting Ben Gorham at right-back had nothing to do with us losing.

"We did miss Jazz and Brad a bit but we knew they were cup-tied.

“It was just one of those days.”

The Lilywhites will aim to bounce back at home to struggling Bearsted, who they thumped 5-1 in September, on Saturday.

“We beat them 5-1 earlier in the season but, the difference between that and Saturday, was we took our chances,” said Warrilow. “League positions don’t really matter too much at this stage of the season.

“I’m just concentrating on my own team.

"Hopefully, we can get three points and get back on track.”

Warrilow also revealed he had put in a seven-day approach for a new signing last week.

“I spoke to someone last week, I’m waiting for him to come back to me,” he explained on Monday.

“If he doesn’t join, he doesn’t. If he does, then great.

“Hopefully, it dispels some of the rumours around how much we are spending. If it was such a great offer, he would have signed straight away, wouldn’t he?

“We’re trying to sign him and we’re not really looking too much after that.”

Young keeper Lewis Briggs has returned after a brief dual-registration spell with Isthmian South East side Erith Town.

Faversham have been drawn at home to Division 1 Staplehurst in the third round of the Challenge Cup.