Manager Tommy Warrilow is remaining level-headed after Faversham lost their top-of-the-table match on Saturday.

Town’s lead at the Southern Counties East League Premier Division summit was cut to five points, with the Lilywhites losing 4-1 at second-placed VCD.

The Vickers also have a game in hand on Faversham, which could allow them to close the gap further.

Warrilow said: “On Saturday, we could have made it a lot easier for ourselves, but that’s football sometimes. I would still rather be in our position.

“We have already played the likes of the Fishers and the VCDs now. In this league, you’re always going to get tough games, no matter who you’re up against.

“But if this is our blip, that’s fine. We will take that.

“Obviously, VCD still have a game in hand. They need to win that but, even if they win that, they’re still two points behind so we’re still in control of our own destiny.

“There’s always going to be a few bumps throughout the season, but what’s important is how you react.”

A poor first-half display left Town 2-0 down at half-time.

They pulled a goal back through forward Danny Parish, only for VCD to promptly restore their two-goal cushion as they capitalised with the visitors down to 10 players after midfielder Sam Hasler had been sin-binned.

VCD then added a game-clinching fourth.

“It’s so annoying,” reflected Warrilow. “In the first half, we didn’t show up and, for some reason, we just looked way off it.

"We didn’t look organised and we were chasing things a little bit. I just wanted half-time to come!

“Coming in 2-0 down, we were nowhere near it so I did lose my rag at half-time.

“I didn’t expect it from an experienced side, but I said to them ‘Let’s just be positive and get on the front foot - because we cannot be any worse than we were in the first half’.

“To be fair, we came out and it could have been 2-2 before we scored our goal. You could sense they were getting a bit nervous and that gave us a lift, as well.

“Then, we had the sin-bin situation, which put us back down to 10 men where they capitalised and got their [third] goal.

“VCD were better than us on the day, I’ve got no issues in saying that. It was disappointing - but that’s football.

“We have only had two sin-bins all year and they have been from the same linesman.

“I spoke to the referee about it in depth because it was a decision that changed the course of the game. I think he (the linesman) needs to have thicker skin.

“But, equally, we don’t help ourselves when we put in a performance like we did in the first half.”

For Parish, it’s now six goals in Faversham’s past five games.

Warrilow noted: “Dan knows he could have had a hat-trick on Saturday.

“I tried to sign Dan in the summer and I’ve had him at two other clubs before. He will be disappointed he didn’t take his other two chances but he carried on going and, if anything, he took the hardest chance of the three.

“The most important thing for Dan is that he’s enjoying his football because he’s had a long-term injury and he’s still coming back from that.

"But he’s done well and he’s a pleasure to have around.”

Warrilow also commented on the departure of Bradley Schafer, the midfielder having left for Whitstable in pursuit of regular first-team football.

“It’s one of those that just didn’t work out for him,” the boss admitted. “He hasn’t really done anything wrong.

“We knew we were going with a slightly bigger squad in January so it was going to be addressed at the end of the month, anyway. It’s something we need to sit down and talk about.

“Whitstable had spoken to Brad before he signed for us and he has just got to play football. I’ve apologised because, really, he’s not had a fair crack.

“But we were on a good run before Saturday and so it was tough for him to get in.”

The Lilywhites will aim to get their title bid back on track when they host Hollands & Blair on Saturday, having beaten them 4-0 in Medway just a fortnight earlier.

Warrilow said: “They had a couple of players sit that one out so I imagine they will be a little bit stronger on Saturday.

“Whether it’s Hollands & Blair, VCD or whoever, there’s no bad teams in this league. It’s not been a good week for us.

“From the 8-1 [win against Lydd], we then had that 4-0 - and then a couple of losses, which has changed things a bit. But we’re in a good position.

“We now can get some positivity back at the club, but the only way we’ll do that is by winning games.”

Town came from behind to win 4-1 at home to Division 1 Staplehurst in the Challenge Cup through Tashi-Jay Kwayie, Ben Gorham, substitute Hasler and Johan Caney-Bryan on Tuesday.

They travel to divisional rivals Snodland in the quarter-finals next Tuesday.