Whitstable manager Scott Porter has urged his players to maintain their performance levels through to the end of the season.

Town’s five-game unbeaten run came to a halt on Saturday as they were beaten 2-1 away to fifth-placed Haywards Heath.

Having lifted themselves to mid-table in March, the Oystermen are now keen to lay the foundations ahead of next season in Bostik South East.

Reflecting on the game, Porter said: “To be fair, after the first-half performance we felt we should have been in front.

“We created enough chances but didn’t have that killer instinct. We gave two poor goals away in the end which was disappointing.

“I can’t fault the lads in the end though for the way they’ve turned it around and got us to mid-table given the teams we’ve played against.

“I’m just disappointed with the two goals we conceded.

“The referee was terrible again as well, their goalkeeper should have been sent off when Ricky Freeman hit the bar. I’ve said to the boys now though that I want to finish as high as possible.

“We don’t want it to fizzle out, I want people to show me that they want to be at the club and finish as high as we can and to achieve even bigger goals.

“It’s like every job you get paid to do, you don’t just turn up to your job and not do it properly, they have to turn up and work hard, we want them to show the fighting spirit we’ve been showing of late.”

An 11-point cushion between Whitstable and the bottom two has afforded the club the freedom to shift one eye towards recruitment in the summer.

Porter added: “We know we have a lot of age throughout the side, we know as management that everyone has got a focus on next year because that’s when the rat race starts with trying to sign new players.

“It’s a good club though, the new chairman (Steve Clayton) is really good, I’ve had many meetings with him recently so we’re looking forward to what’s ahead.”

Personnel changes could now be in the offing ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Phoenix Sports in light of injury to Harry Stannard, who has scored five goals since signing from Ramsgate.

“He played at the weekend but he isn’t fit at all really,” admitted Porter.

“He’s only at 60% so he’ll probably be rested now until the bank holiday weekend.”