Manager Ray Turner hopes Saturday’s FA Cup derby against Tonbridge might be the perfect game to help Faversham out of their slump.

Monday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Herne Bay was a third in four Bostik South games for Turner’s side, following on from a controversial 4-3 loss at early leaders Walton Casuals on Saturday.

Turner said: “I am not the sort of manager to try and spin things – there are not a lot of positives I can take at the moment.

“We came back from 3-1 down on Saturday with 10 men to make it 3-3, which is one thing, but then just when you start to think you might be able to go on and win it, we conceded what turned out to be the winner a minute later.”

Turner welcomed the visit of Bostik Premier Tonbridge to the Shepherd Neame Stadium as a chance for Town to play as underdogs in the first qualifying round clash.

He said: “Over the past few seasons we’ve gone from a team with little to no expectation on us to one with plenty of expectation on us. We have created that ourselves.

“Teams don’t underestimate us anymore, in fact I’ve said to the players they sometimes overestimate us. We are a big game, especially for the local clubs, evidenced by the Ramsgate and now Herne Bay games.”

He added: “This is a difficult period. If Tonbridge were watching us the other day they’ll think the only thing they’ll need to win the tie is find the ground all right.

“The funny thing about football, though, is sometimes when you think you have hit the bottom, you find it might make you produce something."

One familiar face who should be able to help Angels find Salters Lane is Turner’s predecessor as Lilywhites boss, Justin Luchford, now on the Angels coaching staff.

Turner added: “We have a balance issue and have missed Mark Lovell, Jamie Maxted and Charley Robertson who are the sort of players you make plans around. Hopefully, we can get them involved this week.”