A second-half Whitstable fightback ensured they drew their Southern Counties East Premier Division derby at home to promotion rivals Faversham on Saturday.

Billy Bennett put the Lilywhites ahead and fellow midfielder Matt Newman doubled their advantage before half-time.

But the Oystermen pulled one back in front of a bumper crowd through Josh Williams in the second period before they levelled thanks to right-back Josh Vincent’s late own goal. Whitstable even came close to winning it at the death, too, but it ended 2-2.

The result leaves Faversham top at Christmas, two points clear of second-placed Glebe, while the Oystermen are fourth and remain four points off the summit.

Whitstable created the first chance in the fourth minute at The Belmont - and it proved a glorious one. Williams weaved into the penalty box but was denied by young away keeper Lewis Briggs before frontman Harvey Smith sliced wide.

Six minutes later, Josh Oliver’s left-wing delivery narrowly evaded Emmanuel Oloyede at the far post in front of a crowd of 1,112 - a Whitstable club record at the level.

Faversham’s opening opportunity then came when home goalkeeper Dan Eason parried a free-kick by recalled midfielder Sam Hasler.

Eason was quickly called into action again. He pushed away 20-goal Lilywhites striker Stefan Payne’s 19th-minute drive after playmaker Nathan Wood had started a counter-attack.

But, having grown into the half, the away side netted first midway through the first period. Bennett cut off the left flank and his curling shot had just enough on it to beat Eason for his eighth goal this term, despite Whitstable’s keeper getting his fingertips to the ball.

They nearly had more joy on the left-hand side soon after, too, but Eason was equal to an effort by winger Kieron Campbell.

Tempers briefly started to fray slightly and Faversham coach Darren Hare was cautioned as the Oystermen were awarded a free-kick.

Free-flowing football by Marcel Nimani’s men found a way through the away defence in the 37th minute again - but once more they couldn’t finish. Briggs got a touch on a back-pass from right-back Vincent, only for Oloyede to miss the target.

And the Oystermen’s missed opportunities appeared even more costly in first-half stoppage time when the Lilywhites doubled their advantage. An unmarked Newman nodded in Hasler’s corner for just his third goal of the campaign.

Two nearly became three with 51 minutes played, Matt Parsons’ low cross being deflected behind for a corner.

Oliver had the beating of Vincent on the hosts’ left five minutes later but Briggs closed down the angle well while a first Whitstable substitution shortly before the hour saw Tyler Anderson replace Smith.

But the hosts got themselves back into the match midway through the second period. Williams was allowed to cut inside and fired beyond Briggs for his 12th goal of the season.

With home tails up, fit-again Ashley Miller came on for Wood in midfield for the Lilywhites with 20 minutes left.

Briggs remained alert to thwart Oloyede, who had got on the end of a right-wing cross with a looping header.

As Whitstable continued to chase a late leveller, their boss, Nimani, also entered the book before Faversham were denied an 83rd-minute penalty after a challenge by Jahmal Howlett-Mundle on Campbell.

But the home side grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser in the second minute of five added on.

Vincent could only direct a dangerous Oloyede right-wing delivery into his own net at the back post to spark wild scenes among the home contingent.

There was nearly yet more drama in the final seconds as Anderson went through, only to hit the base of the post, before the hosts cleared a last-gasp corner.

The visitors made two changes after last Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Glebe.

Hasler - whose brace was the difference when the teams met at Salters Lane in August - and left-sided defender Jake McIntyre came in for Billy Bingham and fellow ex-Gillingham player Finn O’Mara. Defender O’Mara dropped to the substitutes’ bench.

Fit-again Mikey Dalton replaced Reece Gillies in the home midfield.

Another notable change came on their bench as striker Steadman Callender, who had netted in the previous weekend’s loss at Punjab United, was left out altogether.

The man in the middle was Josh Williams - ironically sharing the same name as one of the Whitstable scorers.

This was the first league meeting between the teams at The Belmont since April 2022 when the Lilywhites had edged to a 1-0 Isthmian League success.

Whitstable Town: Eason, MacKenzie, Sheminant, Dalton, Howlett-Mundle, Mills, L.Gillies, Smith (Anderson 59mins), Williams, Oliver (Ambgaduba 89mins), Oloyede (R.Gillies 93mins). Subs not used: Thomas, Robson.

Faversham Town: Briggs, Vincent, McIntyre, Parsons, Essam, Hasler, Newman, Wood (Miller 70mins), Bennett, Campbell, Payne (Mfula 80mins). Subs not used: Ababio, O’Mara, Kareem.

Referee: Josh Williams.

Attendance: 1,112.