Hastings moved seven points clear at the top of the table after a late goal proved enough to take all three points. They were pushed all the way on a difficult surface by a Whitstable team that gave everything and almost held on for a draw, thanks in no small part to several great saves by Dan Eason. Hastings, unsurprisingly, created the majority of the chances, but needed the late intervention of substitute Kenny Pogue to score the decisive goal, which many observers thought looked offside, although that was of no concern to the visitors who celebrated what might be an important moment in their promotion quest.

Hastings arrived at a foggy Belmont Ground having won seven of their last eight league games, including a 4-0 win against Faversham last time out. There were quite a few Hastings supporters amongst the 455 in attendance, who had made the trip from Sussex hoping to see their team edge closer to a return to the Premier Division. Danny Walder, Samuel Itauma and Callum Watts replaced Montrell Deslandes, Alex Gaggin and Stephen Okoh in the starting eleven from the previous league game. James Brown and 17 year old Cameron Chamberlain who had both played well in the cup game at Herne Bay were on the bench. The heavy pitch has suffered in recent weeks and looked likely to become more challenging as the game progressed.

Hastings might have scored almost straight from the kick off when Andrew Sesay found himself with just Eason to beat, but shot tamely wide from the edge of the box. George McIlroy tested Louis Rogers in the Hastings goal a few minutes later, but his shot was easily saved. Sam Hasler and Sesay both had efforts saved by Eason as the Sussex team started brightly. Whitstable suffered an injury blow when experienced defender Junior Baker landed awkwardly on his ankle when challenged by Ben Pope and had to be replaced by Brown in the 12th minute. Pope had a good chance, but shot wide, then a Hasler shot was deflected for a corner. McIlroy and Watts combined well to earn Whitstable a free kick about 20 yards out and Harry Goodger, who had powered one into the net from a similar position in the last home game, this time saw his low shot gathered by Rogers. Walder swung over a dangerous corner that Rogers clawed out from under the bar, then Goodger had a long range shot blocked. The action soon switched back to the other end as Pope drew another save from Eason, then a long throw from Ollie Black caused some problems and Goodger made a crucial block as Hastings appealed in vain for an earlier foul on Craig Stone. Pope cut across from the left to work a shooting position, only to sky his effort way over the top. As half time neared, Eason pulled off a great save, pushing a deflected attempt over the bar. Knory Scott then tried a shot from distance that a stretching Eason somehow managed to tip onto the bar and over. As the late pressure mounted, a Sam Adams corner reached Pope whose chip hit the underside of the bar before being cleared. Whitstable were no doubt happy to hear the half time whistle and a chance to regroup with the game still 0-0.

Whitstable were the first to threaten when play resumed and Rogers spilled a ball in from the right, but recovered to deny Watts who followed up. There was then a spell when the Whitstable goal faced a number of high balls into the area that the home defence, often aided by striker Goodger, managed to deal with successfully. McIlroy made a good run, but no one was able to get on the end of his cross. Goodger, Kemo Darboe and McIlroy put a good move together, but the resilient Hastings defence scrambled the ball away for a corner. Hastings introduced Tom Chalmers who had been very effective when the teams had met earlier in the season. Hasler lifted a free kick over the bar before a quick Whitstable break led to Watts finding Darboe whose shot was well blocked. Pogue was denied by Eason soon after replacing Scott, then Chalmers headed over. The game looked likely to end in a stalemate until Hastings won the ball and sent Pogue clear in the 84th minute and he slotted the ball past Eason. The Whitstable defence and the majority at that end of the ground expected the assistant to raise an offside flag, but he did not and the Hastings celebrations could begin. Both teams won late corners and free kicks, but there was nothing to trouble the goalkeepers and Hastings took maximum points.

It was a disappointing end for Whitstable, who could not be faulted for their efforts. They remain in 15th place and will be looking to bounce back in their next match, away to VCD on Saturday.

Whitstable	Data	Hastings
5	Shots on target	10
0	Shots off target	11
3	Shots blocked	3
3	Corners	10
15	Fouls conceded	5
2	Offside	4
0	Penalties	0

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, Jake Mackenzie, Samuel Itauma, Junior Baker (James Brown 12, Will Thomas, Tom Mills (c), George McIlroy, Danny Walder (Montrell Deslandes 85), Kemo Darboe, Harry Goodger, Callum Watts (Stephen Okoh 87).
Subs (unused): Cameron Chamberlain, Alex Gaggin.
Yellow cards: Jake Mackenzie 41, Harry Goodger 58.

Hastings United
Louis Rogers, Ollie Black, Ryan Worrall, Finn O’Mara, Craig Stone (c), Marcus Goldsmith (Tom Chalmers 64), Andrew Sesay, Knory Scott (Kenny Pogue 73), Ben Pope, Sam Adams, Sam Hasler.
Subs (unused): James Hull, Kane Penn, David Martin.
Goal: Kenny Pogue 84

Attendance: 455
Referee: Peter Conn
Assistants: Nicholas Monkman & Myles Hewson