PLAYING their first game since Boxing Day, Whitstable Town crashed out of the Kent Senior Cup last night courtesy of a 3-0 defeat away at Cray Wanderers.

The home side had the better first half chances and Town, last season's beaten finalists, were grateful to keeper Kevin Fewell for saving a 40th minute George Porter penalty.

However the Whitstable keeper could do nothing after the break when a Tommy Tyne free-kick on 56 minutes took a deflection off Dan Dolton and ended up in the back of his net.

Whitstable did have chances, Dolton going closest with a long range shot that was well saved, before two goals in the final three minutes, from Ross Lover and Porter, sealed victory for Cray.

Town's Gary Sayer was sent off for a second bookable offence with two minutes to go.

Oystermen boss Mark Munday told thisiskent: "It was probably a fair result if not a fair scoreline.

"We gave them a few problems without capitalising on the opportunities that we created.

"At 1-0 it was nip and tuck, but we lacked any penetration up front."

This Saturday Whitstable return to Ryman League action when they host Walton and Hersham at the Belmont.

"They are a bit of a surprise package," said Munday.

"We've played them three times so far this season and although they beat us comfortably in the league at their place the two cup games we played were very close.

"It will be good to return to league action.

"Hopefully the fans will be as raring to go as the players are."