By Craig Tucker

Justin Luchford branded his former club Faversham ‘the poorest side we’ve played this season’ even though they sent Whitstable crashing to defeat with three goals in the last 15 minutes.

Town were cruising to victory in Tuesday’s Ryman League, Division 1 South match at the Belmont thanks to Stuart Vahid’s 41st-minute opener and a Rob Gillman effort on 71.

But 10-man Town, who had Jamie Maxted sent-off for an ugly challenge on Josh Hare, hit back through James Peacock (75) and Renford Tenyue (85) before Wayne Wilson’s 86th-minute free-kick evaded everyone and went straight in.

Town were reduced to 10 men themselves in the closing stages when Scott Heard saw red for raising his hands

Shocked Town manager Luchford (pictured) said: "We were in total control without playing well ourselves but somehow we’ve lost the game. Faversham were the poorest side we’ve played this season.

"There was no way we were going to lose that game after going 2-0 up but somehow it happened."

Whitstable face another Kent derby when they go to a Ramsgate side set to feature Town old boy Ian Pulman on Saturday.

Luchford is confident the Faversham result was just a blip having won the previous three games.

He said: "Other than the Maidstone game, we’ve been the better side in every match this season.

"We should be top of the league. Ramsgate won’t be easy but there’s no need to make any changes."