Whitstable Town player-boss Jamie Coyle says the club’s young squad will learn from Southern Counties East League Premier Division play-off disappointment as they lost on penalties to Fisher

Player-manager Jamie Coyle insists Whitstable’s young squad will come back stronger after their play-off semi-final shootout disappointment on Tuesday night.

The Oystermen’s wait for a return to Step 4 football will go on for another season as they went down 4-3 on penalties to Fisher in their final-four Southern Counties East League Premier Division showdown after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

Captain Jake McIntyre looked to have set Whitstable on their way with his goal in the second half, but away top scorer Kesna Clarke came up with a late leveller, before Ajay Ashanike’s men were victorious on spot-kicks.

Coyle reflected: “We're devastated with the end result. I thought the boys did really well.

“If I'm honest, I thought we had far better chances in the game but, unfortunately, it's a cruel game at times.

“They've had one shot on target that's gone in the back of the net, towards the back-end of the game and, obviously, won on penalties.

“So, really, I'm devastated for the players. They've given me everything this year.

Report: Whitstable 1-1 Fisher (Fisher win 4-3 on penalties)

“They've run through brick walls for the management team and the football club and I feel for them.

“But I said to them in the changing room, it's an experience that they'll learn from and they'll come back stronger, better for the experience with the young group that we've got.

“It's hard to find the words straight after a game like this but, obviously, I’m gutted.”

Remarkably, it was a 10th match in 23 days for the Oystermen, albeit left-back Jake McIntyre was the sole survivor in their starting line-up from the team that won 3-2 at home to Glebe to end their regular season such is the size of their squad.

Asked if tiredness had been a