Whitstable Town manager Lloyd Blackman has resigned with the club second-bottom in Isthmian South East.

The Oystermen collected their first point of the campaign last weekend, after four straight defeats, with Gus Barnes’ late goal earning a 1-1 draw against VCD.

But former Ramsgate boss Blackman, who succeeded Scott Porter in April 2019, has decided to stand down.

A club statement said: “Unfortunately, Lloyd Blackman has informed the club that he wishes to step away from football management for the time being and leaves with immediate effect.

“The directors of Whitstable Town are saddened by this news, but thank him for his hard work during the past three seasons and wish him well in his future endeavours.

“Player-coach Ben Harding has agreed to take charge of the team for the forthcoming games and we thank him for taking on the extra responsibility.”

Harding’s first game in charge will be Town’s FA Trophy first qualifying round tie at Chichester on Saturday.

The Covid pandemic prevented Blackman completing a full season in charge at the Belmont.

They were 14th when the 2019/20 campaign was scrapped and seventh, just outside the play-offs, when last season ground to a halt.

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