Ray Turner wants Faversham to use Saturday’s visit of Walton Casuals as a dress-rehearsal for Tuesday’s play-off semi-final, when he hopes the town will come out to support them.

On Saturday Turner’s men suffered a 2-1 defeat at Hastings as the Sussex side completed the double over the Lilywhites to move two points clear of the relegation zone in Ryman League, Division 1 South.

The impact at the other end was Town dropping to third, three points behind Folkestone. Turner’s men now need to beat Walton, hope Invicta lose and also overturn a goal-difference of five to claim the runners-up spot.

The teams finishing second and third get home advantage in the semi-finals, against the teams finishing fifth and fourth respectively, with the highest-ranked qualifier then hosting the final on Saturday, May 2.

Turner said: “There is still the possibility of second. We are certainly capable of scoring enough goals, but it all depends on the Folkestone game, and they only need a point. Credit to Folkestone but we have only ourselves to blame for not being second.

“We have to go out and use our game as a dress rehearsal for Tuesday and put last Saturday behind us.”

He added: “Hastings was a strange old game. Wayne Wilson’s free-kick was unbelievable but we relaxed after taking the lead and let them grow into the game. We were below par and possibly had one eye on next Tuesday night.”

Merstham are guaranteed fourth place and barring a remarkable turnaround will visit Salters Lane (7.45pm) with Whyteleafe heading to Folkestone, who host champions Burgess Hill on the final day.

Turner added: “We have taken more points out of the games against Merstham than the other two, we beat them up there and we should have done at home, but they possibly have the strongest squad on paper, and it would be a clash of styles – you have to negate them as well as play your own game.

“What we want is a really big crowd and to get the town behind us. There is so much to be proud of, at all levels of the club, and hopefully everyone can come together for a big celebration.

“When you get to this stage it all boils down to Tuesday. The whole season rests on it, if you win you get to look forward to a final and a big day, if you lose your season is over.”

Town could be handed a timely boost as influential midfielder Josh Stanford could feature in Tuesday’s squad after intensive rehab on a hamstring strain, while forward Dean Grant, who missed the Hastings game, could return to the side on Saturday after an ankle problem.

Turner added: “Having them both fit for the semi would be a huge boost.”