Boss Keith McMahon is having to tap into all of his managerial experience in Whitstable’s battle against the drop.

The Oystermen go into Saturday’s home game with 10th-placed Chichester rooted to the foot of Isthmian South East after their 3-1 loss at Three Bridges, five points adrift of fourth-bottom Whitehawk.

After McMahon’s appointment in October, Whitstable quickly improved and went on a five-game unbeaten run, including four successive wins.

But they have lost seven in a row and even their last win, a 2-1 success in the Velocity Trophy away to rivals Herne Bay, counts for little after they played an ineligible player and were kicked out of the competition.

Their only league victory so far in 2022 came at Faversham on January 3.

McMahon, who earned promotions at former clubs VCD and Thamesmead, admitted things are tough.

“It’s difficult,” he said. “In those seven games, we played some really good sides but we competed against three or four of them really well.

"We had a point when we took over and went on a bit of a run, I don’t know if they’ve taken their foot off the gas (since then).

“I’m experienced enough. I have got to trust what I have done over the last 20-odd years.

"I have had some really down moments, but then you need to give yourself a bit of a shake. We need to do the same with the players.”

Forward Stephen Okoh netted for Whitstable at Jubilee Field but the hosts had already taken a 3-0 lead.

“We played a good side in Three Bridges,” McMahon added. “They are on a good run and I think they are second in the form guide. We seem to be running into everyone at the minute!

“I have looked at the video and we gave them all three goals although, to be fair, they were three fantastic finishes, I won't lie.

“I don’t think we played great, neither side did really.

"We looked nervous and got punished for it.”

George Whitelock became Whitstable’s latest new face as he started at Three Bridges, having signed from relegation rivals Phoenix Sports.

McMahon said: “He did all right. I felt a bit sorry for him, first half, a couple of people left him a bit exposed. But I thought he did okay second half at left-back.

“We have got nine games and I think we need to win four or five of them, but we are capable of doing that.

“On our day, we can beat the top sides, like we did against Haywards Heath (beating them 3-2 in December), and we have competed against some of the others - like Cray Valley and Ashford. We just need to do it consistently.

“Saturday will not be easy.

"They are a very good footballing side, but we have the quality to go and hurt them.”

When the sides met in November, Chichester won 2-1. The teams also met in the FA Trophy, prior to McMahon’s arrival, with Whitstable losing 4-0.

Winger Alex Gaggin remains sidelined.

Defender Ollie Gray, who has been out in recent months with a shoulder injury, has left the club and signed for Hythe as a replacement for former Dover defender Scott Doe, while Samuel Itauma has linked up with rivals Faversham.