Whitstable Town 3 Whitchurch Alport 2 match report: Harvey Smith wins FA Vase quarter-final at the death after goals from debutant Nathan Jeche and Ronald Sithole

History-making Whitstable Town moved into the FA Vase semi-final for the first time ever as they came from behind to beat Whitchurch Alport on Saturday.

A club-record crowd saw the play-off chasing Southern Counties East League Premier Division Oystermen trail to early goals from Callum Knowles and Harry Bower - later sent off in injury time - only for striker Ronald Sithole to reduce the visitors’ lead.

And as Whitstable took control in the second half, debutant Nathan Jeche equalised before substitute Harvey Smith sealed their 3-2 victory at the death, converting after his penalty had been saved.

Away midfielder Adam Hailes was cautioned in the first two minutes for a late challenge in front of a packed-out attendance of 2,656 at The Belmont.

But it was Whitchurch who drew first blood on nine minutes. Slight confusion surrounded the goal, with most players seemingly expecting the offside flag to be raised, but forward Knowles played on and found the bottom corner after the ball had come across from the left flank.

Two minutes later, player-manager Jamie Coyle headed over a first Fin Cotton corner of the afternoon for the Oystermen.

But it was an unusual error by centre-back Coyle which proved costly as the clinical Midland League Premier Division club doubled their tally in the 18th minute.

The 41-year-old’s header was short of goalkeeper Dan Colmer, leaving birthday-boy Bower to excellently find the net with a stooping header from a right-wing delivery.

The home team quickly reduced the deficit, though, in a blistering first 20 minutes. Sithole beat the offside trap and blasted beyond keeper Jack Sheward to make it 2-1 with his seventh goal this season.

Just after the half-hour mark, newly-signed Whitstable forward