Whitstable Town manager Lee Martin up for the challenge as in-form Oystermen visit Isthmian South East leaders South Park

Lee Martin is relishing Whitstable’s underdog status at Isthmian South East leaders South Park.

Town travel to Surrey on Saturday (3pm) in great form, having won their last four league games.

They moved into the play-offs for the first time last weekend after beating Steyning 4-0 at the Belmont, before dropping back to eighth after Broadbridge Heath’s midweek point at Sheppey.

South Park will be firm favourites to triumph at home but Whitstable are proving a force to be reckoned with.

“It will be a difficult game,” said Whitstable boss Martin, who takes his side to Sittingbourne on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

“I’ve watched them a couple of times now and Josh (Gallagher, manager) has got them fired up and playing some good stuff.

“We’ve always liked the role of the underdog, so we’ll go into it full of confidence and hopefully well prepared.

“My confidence spans from what I’ve got in the changing room. It’s a great bunch.

“I haven’t been around many better tight-knit groups.

“We said about the importance of creating that culture before we came in and everyone buying into it and working hard for each other, and you’ve seen that.

“The players we’ve brought in have made a difference.

“It’s an exciting time to be part of it but we keep the boys’ feet firmly on the ground. It’s baby steps.”

Whitstable have surged up the league since putting a slow start behind them but Martin won’t be getting carried away.

It’s far too early to be thinking about a play-off challenge, although he isn’t surprised to see them holding their own.

“We said as soon as we got players back we’ll go on a run and all we’ve done is back that up,” said Martin.

“We also know football is a moments game.

“It’s just about appreciating it and taking the highs but