Frannie Collin proved Faversham’s FA Cup matchwinner and manager Tommy Warrilow wouldn’t be surprised if he scores at least 15 goals this season.

Collin netted twice, including a stoppage-time winner, as the Lilywhites saw off Isthmian South East hosts Littlehampton 3-2 in the preliminary round on Sunday.

The 37-year-old returned to the position where he has spent most of his career, starting up front alongside Tashi-Jay Kwayie, before he dropped back into midfield.

But he still showed a killer instinct when it mattered most.

Warrilow said: “I played him up front with Tash at the start on Sunday because we had no Johan Caney-Bryan.

“He got one from up top, then I dropped him back into midfield for the last 10 minutes. He timed his run to perfection for the winning goal.

“Fran is Fran. He’s a model professional. It’s nice to have him back with us again and, hopefully, he’ll see out his career with us.

“Hopefully, he enjoys the journey because it’s an ambitious club and he’s still an ambitious player.

“If you leave him alone to get on with his stuff, I’d be surprised if he’s not in either the 15-goal or 20-goal mark, come the end of the season.”

Those at Littlehampton saw plenty of entertainment, the Lilywhites playing against 10 men for most of the tie after Matthew Astle was red-carded on 24 minutes.

“It was nice to be on the other side of late goals after the last two games,” reflected Warrilow, who welcomed striker Stefan Payne back from a heel injury off the substitutes’ bench. “We deserved it.

“We did lose our way a little bit in the second half but, overall, I don’t think anyone can complain about the result too much. We created loads of chances and it was a good day-out, with superb support.

“It certainly made it much easier, waking up on Monday morning.

“After the last couple of draws, I’ve not been disappointed about the performances, just the results, so it was nice.”

Town were backed by a healthy away contingent, who made the journey to be part of the 310-strong crowd.

Their reward is a first qualifying round game at another Isthmian South East side in Broadbridge Heath on Saturday, August 31.

“We had a coach that went there,” said Warrilow. “There will be a coach going to Broadbridge Heath, as well, in the next round.

“There was a fantastic atmosphere, which was nice.”

Collin’s brace sandwiched a thumping free-kick by midfielder Sam Hasler on 86 minutes, which set up the grandstand finish.

Warrilow said: “Sam has done really well in the last couple of games, where we have played him a little bit deeper.

“If he’s having a bit of a poor game, you still want to leave him on the pitch because that’s what he’s capable of. He does it from open play, as well.

“The lad has got such a ferocious left foot and he’s always capable of pulling that out of the bag. It was a heck of a strike.”

Faversham return to Southern Counties East Premier Division action at The Belmont as they face another much-fancied side in Whitstable on Monday.

The Oystermen have made a slow start under new boss Jamie Coyle but were 3-1 winners at Lydd last Wednesday.

But, before then, they travel to divisional rivals Fisher in the FA Vase first qualifying round this Saturday.

Warrilow noted: “You can just see how, with one result last week, they (Whitstable) have shot up the league.

“They’re finding their feet. They have got a few experienced bodies that have come in.

“But, from our point of view, we will just focus on ourselves. I’m pretty sure that there will be a bumper crowd there on a Bank Holiday Monday.

“I just hope the occasion doesn’t let itself down because, on paper, it’s a fantastic Bank Holiday fixture.

“But - and I genuinely mean this - I’m not thinking about Whitstable until we have got Saturday out of the way.

“I know Fisher hasn't had the best of starts - but I’m not looking into that because they’re a well-organised, athletic side there.

“They’ll come right and we just need to make sure that doesn’t happen this Saturday.

“The Vase is a big competition for us. We want to go into every game believing we can win.

“I’ve never called a cup game a distraction because, ultimately, everyone wants that day-out at the end of the season - whether that’s the Kent Senior Cup or whatever it may be - a cup final is a cup final.

“Obviously, the FA Vase is effectively our FA Cup, isn’t it?

“So, we need to try and get over a difficult hurdle on Saturday.”