Frustrated boss Sammy Moore admitted Faversham should have seen out a derby victory at promotion rivals Whitstable on Saturday.

First-half goals from midfielders Billy Bennett and Matt Newman put them into a 2-0 half-time lead at The Belmont in front of a huge crowd of 1,112.

Left-back Matt Parsons nearly added a third shortly after the break with a cross-cum-shot but, after that, winger Josh Williams pulled one back and a stoppage-time own goal by Faversham defender Josh Vincent meant it finished 2-2.

Indeed, in the end, Town were perhaps slightly fortunate to leave with a point as substitute Tyler Anderson had a last-gasp shot strike the post for the Oystermen.

Moore reflected: “Obviously, we’re frustrated because we were 2-0 up and pretty much in control, to be honest, up until 70 minutes.

“Then, it’s our mistake for their (first) goal. Jake McIntyre gets underneath the ball and it ends up being a footrace.

“We knew Josh Williams would cut inside but we have allowed him to, I think it took a slight deflection and it goes past Briggsy (keeper Lewis Briggs). Up until then, we were pretty comfortable.

Report: Whitstable 2-2 Faversham

“Football is about fine margins because Parsons goes through on the left, smashes it across the box and it just goes past the post. If that goes in, I think it’s game over.

“We have got to see those games out with the experience we have got. But credit to them.

“Second half, I think we stopped what we were doing from the first half in terms of passing the ball. We didn’t do that well enough in the second half.

“Goals change games, momentum changes and that got their crowd up - and it ended up being a difficult last 20 minutes.”

Faversham were without banned Billy Bingham at Whitstable, the 33-year-old midfielder serving a suspension due to an accumulation of cautions.

Asked if his side had missed the former Gillingham and Bromley player, Moore replied: “Yeah, he’s a massive player. I felt we missed his legs in midfield.

“We looked a bit tired but, looking on the bench, I didn’t think we had anyone to come on and change it in there.

“He’s a massive player. He gives us energy in there and quality - and calmness - when he gets on the ball.

“Second half, I don’t think we did well on the ball.

“He’s a big miss, isn’t he? He’s one of our best players. When you miss someone like that and his experience, that’s key.

“But like I said to our boys, we still had enough experience in that dressing room to see out that game.”

Even before Moore’s men had gone ahead - only to be pulled back - the Oystermen had threatened as early as the fourth minute. But young Faversham goalkeeper Lewis Briggs made a huge save to thwart Williams before striker Harvey Smith fired wide.

Moore, whose troops drew by the same scoreline at Glebe the previous weekend, was again satisfied with what he saw from the youngster.

“In big games and big moments, you need your goalkeeper to play well,” he said. “I thought he was great.

“He’s going from strength-to-strength every game.”

Moore also praised the away supporters who made the short journey to Whitstable for the eagerly-awaited derby which didn’t disappoint.

He said: “I thought our fans were great.

“They really travelled in numbers and have been outstanding all year, so I’d just like to wish them all a Merry Christmas. I’d also like to thank everyone behind-the-scenes for their hard work - the board and the volunteers.

“Let’s hope - after 40 games this season - were there or thereabouts.”

Faversham will finish 2023 with another huge match at home to promotion rivals Deal next Saturday. Steve King’s Hoops are only five points behind the Lilywhites but crucially have four games in hand, too.