Kennington’s Christmas party turned into a double celebration after climbing off the foot of Southern Counties East.

Ton produced an impressive fightback from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Tunbridge Wells 4-3 and breathe new life into their survival bid.

Victory sent Kennington above Stansfeld on goal difference and set them up nicely for the evening’s festivities.

Boss Dan Scorer said: “It made our Christmas party that little bit more enjoyable and helped with the celebrations.

“It was nice to see the boys all enjoy themselves because it has been a tough start to the season, but if we keep putting in the hard work now we’ll eventually reap the rewards.”

Ryan Philpott scored twice in five minutes, with Dan Scorer and Harry Linch moving Ton clear before a Wells consolation.

“I felt quite inspired by the character the boys showed in the second half,” said boss Scorer.

“We’ve been in that position a couple of times this season and not really showed enough character, enough desire, and possibly enough belief that we’ve got enough to get ourselves back into the game.

“The most difficult thing for me at half-time was being 2-0 down and thinking we’ve not really done too much wrong.

“We just lacked a little bit of purpose, a little bit of intensity and I was quite keen to reiterate that to the boys at half-time, that for the most part we just needed to keep doing what we were doing, just with a bit more purpose.

“Move the ball that little bit quicker, and just inject a little bit more energy and intensity into the game and I felt if we did that we had more than enough to get ourselves back into the game.

“It was a bit of 10-minute blitzing. We had some important players step up to the plate and drag one or two others through it in the first half but second half I thought all 11 of the boys were absolutely superb, plus all the boys who came on are all beginning to make a difference now, which is great.”

Kennington host local rivals Lydd at Homelands tomorrow (3pm).

The Lydders are targeting a play-off place in their first season after promotion.

Scorer said: “We’re coming up against a side who are relatively well-known to ourselves.

“It’s probably our local derby and there’ll be players on the pitch that have played for both teams.

“They’re a side that have come up and invested quite heavily in a new playing staff and obviously under a new management staff as well.

“They’ve settled into life quite well at Step, 5 so we’re looking forward to it.

“It’s going to be another good test for us.

“I think while they’re the Premier Division new boys, we had the same thing when we came up, it was a bit of a free hit for us each week with teams not knowing too much about us.

“We finished fifth in our debut season and I’m sure they’re looking to try and replicate that.

“They’re clearly showing their intent in wanting to get themselves into the play-offs so we’re under no illusions, it’s going to be a tough test but we’re looking forward to it, hopefully in front of a good crowd.

“A lot of the boys from both sides are Ashford-based so hopefully friends and family come and show their support for both sides and it’s a really good festive fixture.”