Marcel Nimani was delighted with 10-man Whitstable’s performance in their victory at Southern Counties East Premier Division leaders Erith & Belvedere.

The Oystermen opened the title race up again despite debutant Ashley Sains’ 17th-minute red card on Saturday.

Winger Jefferson Aibangbee gave them a half-time lead before fellow midfielder Josh Oliver doubled their advantage with a penalty after being fouled.

Ryan Palmer converted a penalty of his own to make it 2-1, only for Whitstable to defend heroically with goalkeeper Dan Eason making some vital late stops.

Whitstable had to tweak their tactics after the dismissal of Sains - but adapted brilliantly.

Boss Nimani said: “We played slightly differently to the way we had originally planned to play.

“We had planned to go toe-to-toe with them. We expected they would have a good first 15 or 20 minutes under their new management team, and I did tell the boys they would be full of energy.

“Unfortunately, because of the red card, we had to adapt our game.

"But we really showed how far we’ve come from the start of our journey.

“It just goes to show the importance of a good management team and we have that at the moment.

“The thing that pleased me the most was that we were able to adapt and that shows the psychology we have tried to build.

“We showed a lot of grit and intelligence, and the players managed the game really well.”

Defender Sains now has a ban to serve for his new club. Nimani is adamant he will come good with the Oystermen after that, though.

He said: “I don’t like to comment on referee performances. That’s not my job.

“Ashley has not had the best of seasons but he’s a very experienced player.

"He has a very recent creditable CV, including back-to-back promotion wins.

“We’re not talking five or six years ago. We’re talking in the last few seasons.

“Last year, he helped Sheppey win four trophies and, at Cray Valley, he helped them reach the FA Vase Final and the FA Cup First Round.

“He will become a key player for us.

"I’m very confident of that.”

Nimani had his midfielders to thank for their efforts against Erith & Belvedere and he’s pleased to see the goals being shared around.

He said: “With the way we play football, a lot of rotation means that we put our midfielders and strikers in positions to score goals. It gets different players in positions to score.

“That’s why - when you look at our scorers - we have multiple goalscorers, rather than one dominant goalscorer.”

Sixth-placed Whitstable will host Holmesdale this Saturday.

“We’re looking for patterns,” Nimani said.

“I think the best way to assess the team is with good patterns of results.

“December into January, we went six games unbeaten. Then in February, we lost two and won two.

“Now this month, we have two wins and a draw.

"But we’re focusing more on the pattern of results, rather than one game.”

The Oystermen are running out of matches this term at The Belmont, with Nimani noting: “We only have three home games left.

"We’re looking to keep working on our performances and results.

“We take pride in the fact our club is well-supported and we need to make sure that they get what they pay for.”

Midfielders Helge Orome and Rodney Adamon-Eruotor have left and joined Isthmian South East outfit Sevenoaks and fellow SCEFL Premier Division side Erith Town, respectively.

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Nimani said: “They’re two players I have huge respect for.

“They’ve both gone to clubs with something to play for, whereas we’re building for next season. But it shows the depth of our recruitment.

“They have gone to clubs still fighting for promotions and we have replaced them internally.

"It shows the quality in our camp.”