Jamie Coyle says Whitstable FA Vase hero Nico Grierson will remember his late winner for the rest of his career.

Substitute Grierson scored a top-corner stunner with four minutes remaining as Town came from a goal down to beat Jersey Bulls 2-1 in Saturday’s rearranged third-round tie.

A product of the club’s under-23 set-up, he’d only been on the pitch a matter of minutes when he sent the Belmont into raptures.

It completed a stirring comeback as Whitstable struck twice in the final six minutes to reach the last 32 for the first time in 28 years.

They trailed to an early Francis Lekimamati goal with Josh Oliver levelling from the penalty spot before Grierson’s big moment.

“Everyone around the place was so pleased to see a kid come through the 23s to then score an absolute screamer for the winner,” said boss Coyle. “The whole place erupted.

“He’s trained with us for the last six or seven weeks and he’s been brilliant. He’s really stood out.

“He’s strong, he’s big for his age and he seems like he’s got a real experienced head on young shoulders.

“It’s testament to him to come on in a big game like that, with a big crowd, and score a goal like that.

“He could have had two goals. He went through one-on-one shortly after he scored the winner.

“He’s great and the club are really pleased because the remit was to make sure we utilise the youth within the club and we’ve most definitely done that so far this season.”

With Coyle playing, Grierson was sent on by assistant boss Matt Longhurst in the 79th minute.

He wasted no time making an impact.

“When he ran on, I just said to him to enjoy it and play with a smile on your face.

“He’s earned the right to be among the first team with the way he’s trained and played for the 23s.

“Just to look at the smile on his face in the bar after the game, it’s why we do our job, to see these kids do things like that.

“He’ll never forget that moment for the rest of his career, coming on for a big game like that and doing what he did.

“It’s testament to the work that’s going on in the under-23s and the under-18s and the under-16s when these players come through.

“Myself and Matt, we class ourselves as developers.

“We want to try and use the kids and make sure they understand how we play, what’s expected and Nico most certainly does that.

“I left with a smile on my face just thinking how pleased I was for him to have that moment.

“He’ll be walking around with a smile all week.”

Whitstable will travel to Walsham Le Willows in round four on January 11.

Town return to Southern Counties East Premier Division action at home to Kennington this Saturday (3pm).

The sides are 14th and 15th in the table, separated by goal difference, although the Oystermen have five games in hand.

“We nicked a 1-0 right at the death against them earlier in the season and they were a real good side,” said Coyle.

“We’re much changed since then.

“We’re in a much better place with regard to the strength and depth of the squad.

“Saturday was brilliant but I said to the boys at the end we need to build our league position.

“I know we’ve got a lot of games in hand but we’re not in a place we want to be.

“The focus now is on continuing the decent run we’re on, picking up more points in the league and come Christmas and New Year, positioning ourselves where we can have a surge in the second half of the season.”