Sheerness East slumped to a 4-2 home defeat against Milton and Fulston in Saturday’s Vandanel Kent County League Premier Division derby clash.

East had given themselves a genuine chance of avoiding the drop, following a three-game unbeaten run, but that was undone in 45 minutes.

Before half-time, Milton were leading 3-0 thanks to goals from Ryan Rook, Ricky Baverstock and Ben Ives.

All three goals stemmed from East either giving the ball away cheaply or through sloppy defending.

Craig Holland went closest for East in the first half when his lob bounced off the top of the bar.

East improved in the second half and Holland pulled back a goal to give his side hope before Rook killed off their revival hopes to restore Milton’s three-goal advantage.

Ben O’Neill, a second half substitute, scored late on to make the scoreline more respectable.

The result puts East back at the foot of the table.

East travel to Cray Valley on Saturday before returning home to face Bromley Green on Tuesday, April 28.