Whitstable Town player-manager Jamie Coyle hails 3-2 FA Vase quarter-final victory over Whitchurch Alport in front of club-record Belmont crowd as his best ever

Player-boss Jamie Coyle hailed Whitstable’s FA Vase quarter-final victory on Saturday as the biggest win of his career

The Oystermen came from 2-0 down inside 20 minutes in front of a club-record Belmont crowd to see off Whitchurch Alport 3-2 as their best-ever Vase run continued.

Coyle, 41, has twice helped England Veterans enjoy Seniors World Cup success, as well as managing Welling and Ramsgate, and being in joint-charge of Dartford alongside Adam Flanagan.

But he said: “As manager, I think this tops everything that I’ve achieved.

“Although I was in the management team at Maidstone when we won the play-offs to go into the National League, for this to be my team and with the way they have battled, I just feel really proud.

“For everyone that has come through the turnstiles and supported us, giving something back to them, this is most definitely the biggest highlight so far - but we’ve not achieved anything.

“We have got to prepare for the semi-finals now, do our homework and give ourselves a real opportunity to get to Wembley.”

FA Vase report: Whitstable 3-2 Whitchurch Alport

The play-off chasing Southern Counties East League Premier Division Oystermen trailed to goals from Callum Knowles and Harry Bower - sent off in injury time for a second booking - only for striker Ronald Sithole to reduce the visitors’ lead.

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

“It’s brilliant,” noted Coyle. “I’m just immensely proud of the whole squad.

“It was an unbelievable turnaround. To be 2-0 down after 20-odd minutes and turn that into a win, that’s testament to the players.

“I’m, obviously,