On Saturday, Erith and Belvedere meet Whitstable Town in a Southern Counties Eastern Football League match at Park View Road.

At one stage it had seemed likely that the Deres would have had the league all but wrapped up by this stage but a recent drop in form has seen their lead at the top drop to eight points.

They have won just one game out of their last six, but have still only lost three times all season.

Their last game at home to Hollands & Blair ended in a two-one defeat. They appeared to be heading in the right direction when Danny Lear put them ahead just shy of the half hour mark but Harry Brown levelled seven minutes later.

Sam Wright scored the winner for the visitors in the last minute.

It has been a mixed season for Whitstable Town since their relegation last season. They are currently seventh in the table, but a promotion challenge may be beyond them this season.

Their form has been inconsistent and they were held to a two all home draw by Lordswood in their last game.

After a goal-less first half an own goal appeared to have sent them on their way to victory before Mason Morgan levelled. Ethan Stewart put the visitors ahead with eight minutes however James Jeffrey restored parity three minutes later.

When Erith visited Whitstable at the end of December, their was late drama. Harrison Carnegie gave the hosts a half time lead but Tyrell Richardson-Brown equalised twenty minutes after the break.

When Rob Strachan put the Deres ahead in the second minute of stoppage game, it looked likely to be the winner. The Oysterman had other ideas though, and equalised five minutes later through Mo Cham.

A win for the Deres would give them a huge boost but anything else would give the chasing pack of Deal Town, Phoenix Sports and Erith Town real hope.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.