Whitstable Town have announced the departure of manager Keith McMahon with the club at the foot of Isthmian South East and facing relegation.

Former Thamesmead Town and VCD Athletic boss McMahon took charge at the Belmont in October following the resignation of Lloyd Blackman when the club had just a single point.

Prior to Christmas, Whitstable went on a five-game unbeaten league run, including four successive wins.

But the Oystermen have earned just one league win since then at Faversham and they have lost eight of their latest nine, the latest defeat coming at home to Hythe on Saturday as they were beaten 2-0.

They are now three points adrift and eight behind fourth-bottom Lancing. Assistant Steve Wait has also left.

"The directors of Whitstable Town have today regretfully decided to part company with first-team manager Keith McMahon, as the team sit bottom of the Isthmian League South East Division with seven games remaining," a club statement read.

"Keith was appointed at the beginning of October after a difficult start to the season and following the sudden resignation of Lloyd Blackman.

"His experience and successful times at Thamesmead and VCD Athletic, together with a good record of bringing through young players, pointed to Keith being the right choice to take the club forward.

"Nobody could have worked harder to integrate themselves with all aspects of the club and attempt to turn fortunes around on the pitch.

"Despite a number of disappointing performances, the club was determined to give Keith sufficient time and resources to make a difference. Unfortunately, there have been few signs of any improvement and, with just a single win since Christmas and eight defeats in the last nine games, the club has taken the difficult decision to make a change.

"We would like to thank Keith and his assistant Stephen Wait for all of their hard work and wish them well for the future."

On Twitter, teenage midfielder Jacob Couzens was quick to thank McMahon and Wait.

He said: "Thank you @xxxgaffer for having confidence in me, bringing me into the squad at training and handing me my senior debut - that moment, I will never forget!

"Wish you and Steve all the best for what may happen in the future."

Striker Charlie Heatley added: "Only been at the club a few weeks but him (McMahon) and Steve always done the right things.

"We, as players, just didn't perform."

Whitstable visit play-off chasing Haywards Heath this Saturday in the first of their seven remaining games in the regular league season.

Their new management team will have to do without defender Tom Mills who was sent off against Hythe and he will now serve a three-game ban.