Ray Turner says there is no room for error if Faversham are to return to the Ryman League, Division 1 South play-offs, claiming their entire season rests on their results in February.

Town boss Turner admitted he had ‘beaten himself up’ after Saturday’s shock 5-1 defeat at Dorking Wanderers – who began the day in the top-five and ahead of the Lilywhites on goal difference alone.

He said: “There is no glossing over anything and nowhere to hide. We had our worst result of the season at the worst time. It is hard to digest.

“The players let themselves down, although I have to take some responsibility too and blame myself for the final two goals, in particular, as I set us up to go after the game and had too many forward-thinking players on the pitch.

“I beat myself up more than anyone – I left us exposed when we were 3-1 down.”

Dorking’s win on Tuesday means Town are now six points behind Wanderers and five outside the play-offs.

Turner said: “It was a key match at a key time. Instead of going ahead of them, we let them back in the game, gave them confidence, which they took into a 3-0 win against Walton & Hersham and now we’re six points behind. It’s a big turnaround.”

Town host struggling Peacehaven & Telscombe on Saturday (3pm) but Turner said: “Complacency shouldn’t be an issue anymore.

“There is no room for error. You’d have to say we are big outsiders now.”

He added: “We have an incredibly tough month. We have South Park away (Wednesday, 7.45pm) and then a trip to (fifth-placed) Guernsey, the visit of the champions elect (Folkestone) and the derby with Whitstable.

“To get us back in it, I think we have to go undefeated the rest of the month.

“I don’t accept apologies, I just want to make sure we learn from things. We need to put this week in the experience box.”

Josh Stanford and John Scarborough are set to return to the team against Peacehaven.