Joint-boss Danny Ward claims Whitstable’s season wouldn’t be a disappointment if they finish outside the top-five, however having got within goal difference of the play-offs, he’s determined to make a strong finish.

After two wins in four days against Worthing and Hythe, Town are sixth, level on points with fifth-placed Whyteleafe with nine games remaining and Ward claimed the Oystermen’s latest ‘cup final’ comes with the visit of Tooting & Mitcham to the Belmont on Saturday (3pm).

Ward said: “If you’d offered us sixth before the start of the season anyone at Whitstable would have snapped your hand off. In fact, there are probably about 10 teams in our division with big budgets who would snap your hand off for sixth place now.

“For me, as a football man, if we’re not fifth and in the play-offs then it doesn’t matter where we finish. For now, there are probably six teams fighting for one place and we have got nine cup finals to come to try and make it happen.

He added: “I wouldn’t necessarily be disappointed if the season ended with us in sixth. The highest the club has ever finished at this standard is 14th and we already have more points than the club have ever won.”

Town hope to get striker Ian Pulman’s red card for a challenge on keeper Roddy Hayward in the 3-2 win at Hythe on Tuesday night rescinded using video evidence.

Ward said: “I was amazed to see a red card. I didn’t think for one second he’d be sent-off. It was a 50-50 and Ian who was the one left needing treatment. He was distraught and was talking about giving up football on the way back. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get it rescinded using video evidence.”

Ward, however, described keeper Luke Watkins’ sending off, for clapping the referee after being booked for time-wasting, as “a moment of madness,” although he added: “To the letter of the law, OK it was another yellow but plenty of players get away with a lot worse and it was so late no other player touched the ball after that.”