Herne Bay player-manager Liam Friend on goalkeeper Joe Coleman’s man-of-the-match display in 1-1 derby draw against unbeaten Faversham Town and trip to Ashford United

Goalkeeper Joe Coleman put in a man-of-the-match derby display for Herne Bay - and player-manager Liam Friend joked those who picked him should do the lottery numbers!

Coleman was picked as the sponsors’ top player in Bay’s 1-1 Isthmian South East draw against Faversham last weekend.

It was a decision which initially raised eyebrows when it was announced.

But the 25-year-old went on to make two fantastic late saves as the Lilywhites delivered a grandstand finish after equalising through a penalty on 87 minutes.

Centre-back Friend explained: “Joe Coleman got man-of-the-match.

“That was announced in about the 89th minute and everyone was a bit like ‘Really?!’. He then proceeded to make two saves.

“Maybe whoever picked it, they need to do the lottery numbers! Before that, there were probably four or five that deserved it (the man-of-the-match award).

“Zuriel Otseh-Taiwo did well, Dan Carrington was impressive again, Joe did his job, and Harvey Brand and Scott Heard worked hard in the middle.

“Before the game, I would have taken a point against a team that are unbeaten in the league and, maybe, a draw was a fair result.

"But, at 1-0, we had a couple of chances, which is our frustration.”

Herne Bay held a half-time lead at Winch’s Field as top scorer Kamani McFarlane converted a penalty after referee Richard Joss ruled he had been fouled by Harrison Pont.

But Tommy Warrilow’s team hit back, their own top scorer, Tashi-Jay Kwayie, converting from the spot after Friend was ruled to have handled a cross.

“We deserved the win,” Friend claimed. “We were really disappointed with the penalty award and the referee’s explanation for the penalty.

“There was a disallowed goal in the first half, as well, and we missed a couple of