This was a game that Whitstable had to win to stay in touch with the teams at the top of the table and they did so deservedly with a great team performance.

Two excellently taken goals by Ricky Freeman in a couple of minutes midway through the first half were enough to claim the three points.

The in-form striker, who now has six goals in the last six games, opened the scoring with a great finish after being played in by Rob Gillman and then added a second when he tucked away a John Walker cross at the near post.

Macauley Murray and Freeman both went close from free kicks and Shaun Welford had a header blocked as Whitstable dominated proceedings in the first half, although Dan Eason had to be alert to deny Kenny Pogue after he latched on to a defensive error.

Sevenoaks were more competitive after the break, winning some early corners after Whitstable had gone close to scoring a third, but the home defence generally coped well until Frankie Sawyer found space in the box to pull a goal back in the 86^th minute.

Sevenoaks pumped a series of balls into the box to try to find a late equaliser and Eason was called upon to make a couple of saves, but Whitstable held on to close the gap at the top of the table.

Whitstable Town
Dan Eason, John Walker, Josh Burchell, Teddy Nelson, Rob Gillman, Tom Bryant, Chris Saunders, James Morrish (c), Ricky Freeman, Shaun Welford (Danny Williams 66), Macauley Murray (Louis Sprosen 83).
Subs (unused): Owen Fitt, Brendon Cass, Dean Ruddy.
Goals: Ricky Freeman 24, 26.
Yellow card: James Morrish 15

Sevenoaks Town
Jack Bradshaw, Chris Edwards, Ben Wilson, Brett Ince, Jack Miles, Corey Holder (c), Harrison Carnegie (Byron Walker 75), Jason Thompson (Josh Froggatt 66), Kenny Pogue, Frankie Sawyer, Jack Mahoney (Billy Bennett 41).
Subs (unused): Greg Benbow, Osman Proni.
Goal: Frankie Sawyer 86
Yellow cards: Kenny Pogue 10, Jason Thompson 47, Chris Edwards 55, Brett Ince 69.

Attendance: 176
Referee: Valentine Anekwe
Assistants: William Cannon & Paul Franks