Player-boss Jack Midson defended Sheppey goalkeeper Aiden Prall after his mistake in Saturday’s derby draw with Faversham.

With the Lilywhites already 1-0 ahead after Michael Ademiluyi’s second-minute strike, a long-range Kieron Campbell drive somehow got past Prall, who appeared well behind the ball.

The Ites rallied through midfielder Josh Wisson’s header and then equalised in the Isthmian South East clash courtesy of a controversial penalty, converted by skipper Richie Hamill.

They were level by the interval, too, before a goalless second period. Midson was pleased his troops managed to get back into the contest before half-time.

“I’m glad we got back before the second half,” he said.

“Otherwise, it becomes an uphill battle, with them sort of sitting in. That would have been tough.

“A few months ago, we probably wouldn’t have come back and would have rolled over, but we have got the right characters in.

• Report: Sheppey 2-2 Faversham

“Obviously, we were disappointed to concede those two goals - one was a goalkeeping mistake and the other their quick player [Ademiluyi] got through us too easily and had the pick of which corner he wanted.

“Aids has been brilliant for us. Obviously he made a mistake and held his hands up. Then he made a great save, second half.

“He’s dug us out of a lot of situations so I certainly won’t be blaming him for any mistakes.”

Midson also revealed Town themselves had recently come in for Prall - only for the summer signing to stay loyal to the club while the Lilywhites signed Bailey Vose.

He said: “That just shows his loyalty to us.

“I won’t blame him for that one mistake because he’s kept us in a lot of games.

“I believe he’s the best keeper in this league and I believe he’ll continue to show us how good he is.”

The result saw Sheppey extend their unbeaten run to seven games - albeit with successive draws against struggling sides following five straight wins - despite being without injured talisman Warren Mfula and the suspended Jake Embery.

On how he was feeling after the draw, 39-year-old Midson reflected: “A bit of both.

“I lost my voice, screaming and shouting, and there’s a bit of frustration and I needed to gee the lads up. Second half, I think we had a go and we were definitely the better team, but we weren’t clinical enough to get the goals for the win.

“Probably neither team deserved to lose but then didn’t do enough to win it.”

Sheppey are now seventh but only a single point separates themselves and fourth-placed Cray Valley.