AFTER Saturday's important win against fellow strugglers Chipstead, Whitstable Town returned to losing ways at title-chasing Croydon Athletic last night when they were beaten 3-1.

Both sides had chances in a lively first half, but Athletic went in at the break with a 1-0 lead courtesy of Ben Lewis.

In the second half Croydon doubled their lead through Gareth Williams.

Dave Stubbs should have pulled a goal back but he did find the back of net shortly after when Whitstable won a free-kick on the edge of the Athletic box.

Gareth Cornhill's shot hit the Croydon wall and fell to Ian Pulman who in turn set up Stubbs.

Whitstable now looked the stronger side, but it wasn't to last long as Williams, with his second of the game, ensured all three points for the home side.

The result leaves Whitstable sitting third from bottom. They are on the same points total as Walton Casuals, immediately above them, but have three games in hand.

Croydon sit second in the table, a point behind Folkestone Invicta but with two games in hand.

After the game Whitstable manager Mark Munday said: "It was a very good performance against one of the best sides in the league.

"We were always in the game until they got their third late on.

"Two of their goals we have to be disappointed with, while in the build up to their third goal the ball went out of play but the linesman allowed play to continue.

"It was a good game of football and we were in it until the end.

"If we play as well against teams around we should pick up points."

This Saturday Whitstable are away to fellow strugglers Eastbourne Town. Next Tuesday they are away again, this time to mid-table Whyteleafe.