Faversham Town boss James Collins reflects on Isthmian South East defeat at Haywards Heath ahead of match at Herne Bay

Manager James Collins was encouraged by elements of Faversham’s performance at promotion-chasing Haywards Heath - but will not be satisfied while his side are suffering any sort of defeat.

The Lilywhites lost 1-0 last weekend in Isthmian South East, with captain Harry Harding hitting the bar.

“I think Kie (Plumley, Faversham’s new goalkeeper) had to make one save,” said Collins, who was without left-backs Charlie Dickens and Conrad Lee who both pulled out on the day of the match through personal reasons.

“He came out of his goal for their goal and, by his own admission, it was an error.

“A point, for me, was the least we deserved. I thought we played quite well and we have conceded one in four now.

“However we have just lost too many games by one goal - that’s an area we have got to improve.”

Collins gave debuts to Oxford United loanee Plumley and teenage midfielder Ethan Smith, who has also joined until the end of the season on loan from Gillingham, while versatile defender Samuel Itauma came on, having joined from Whitstable.

Plumley, 18, who lives in the Oxford area, was signed after Patrick Ohman opted to leave in favour of a move to Isthmian Premier Merstham, making his debut in their home win over Leatherhead.

Town visit play-off hopefuls Herne Bay this Saturday before they play them again 10 days later.

Collins added: “We played well on Saturday and should have got something. But I had a little bit of a moan at the players after the game.

“I don’t want to be losing 1-0 or 2-0, and thinking ‘That’s quite a good result’ because they are up there.”

Sixth-placed Bay have been dealt a double blow in recent days.

They lost 3-1 at relegation-threatened Sevenoaks last weekend and promotion rivals Haywards Heath have been