Whitstable Town manager Jamie Coyle sees his side go four points clear at the top of the Southern Counties East Premier Division with sixth successive victory

Whitstable moved four points clear at the top of the Southern Counties East Premier Division on Tuesday night after beating title rivals Bearsted.

Town’s 4-2 win at the Belmont was their sixth successive league victory and a ninth in their past 10 games.

Dean Grant and Brad Walledge gave Jamie Coyle’s side a 2-0 lead but the Bears levelled through Jarred Tresapaderne and Jake Embery.

The hosts were back on song in the second half as strike partners Jack Nelson and Grant clinched the points.

“It was a really important game,” said manager Jamie Coyle.

“You look at Bearsted’s league position, they’re a good side.

“We had a shaky 10 or 15 minutes after their first goal but overall it was a really good performance.

“We started the game unbelievably.

“In the first 25 minutes we were unplayable and potentially should have been a couple more goals up.

“We conceded after 25 minutes and it wobbled us a little bit.

“They were the better side for 15 minutes and Dan Colmer pulled off some unbelievable saves from set-pieces to keep it at 2-2.

“Second half, we came out of the traps really well and played the majority of the half in their half.

“The weather was horrific in terms of the wind so it made it difficult for both teams.

“But we were a constant threat, especially with Dean Grant and Jack Nelson up top, I thought they were unplayable at times and created a number of chances.

“We had so many penalty-box entries, we could potentially have scored a few more goals.

“Outside of the 10-15 minutes when I thought Bearsted were the better side, it was a real good collective performance and we deserved the three points.”

Fifth-placed Bearsted have spent time at the summit this season and appear to be genuine promotion contenders.

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