Canterbury City had two players sent-off but still came out on top 4-2 in an extraordinary Vandanel Kent County League Premier Division clash against Orpington on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Paul Hyde was sent-off with less than half an hour played and then Liam Whiting followed suit 15 minutes from time.

City were leading 3-2 when Whiting was dismissed but their nine men still managed to make sure of victory with a fourth goal.

They had made the perfect start with Royston Gough firing home in the first minute but then Hyde was shown a straight red card for handling outside his area, with full-back Hamilton Bowler taking over in goal.

Orpington tried several long shots to test out Bowler but City held firm.

The second half was only minutes old when Canterbury doubled their lead with Dave Read (pictured) converting a Gough pass.

Soon after, Read turned goal-maker when his back header set up Whiting for number three.

With Orpington also reduced to 10 men at this stage by injuries, City looked home and dry but their defence then drifted into a period of uncertainty. Kentley sent a shot under Bowler and then took advantage of further tentative defending to sidefoot Orpington’s second goal and make the last 15 minutes a lot more worrying than anticipated.

Those worries were increased when Whiting, who had already been cautioned, was sent-off for a tackle from behind.

But City now defended more stoutly and then, five minutes from the end, Mark Rook’s free-kick found Read in the penalty area and his header clinched victory.