There is much more to come from table-topping Faversham, manager Sammy Moore has warned.

Moore’s Lilywhites hit the front of the Southern Counties East Premier Division on Saturday with a 3-1 home win against Punjab United.

It was a sixth consecutive league success for Faversham, who host Hollands & Blair this Saturday and are at Bearsted on Tuesday (7.30pm).

“It’s nice to be there,” the Town boss said.

“At the start, we were still getting to know each other. We always said ‘Let’s see where we are after 10 games’.

“I still think there’s a lot more to come from us. We can still play way better.

“On Saturday, we had to grind it out a little bit, we had to do more defending. Sometimes, when you’re not playing that well and you’re winning, it’s a really good sign and a really good habit.

“It’s nice to be up the top but we’re just focusing on one game at a time. We’ve got another tough game on Saturday and then another tough game on Tuesday.

“They’re two games we’re going to need to use the squad in. Then, we’ve got a break from the league [facing Red Velvet in the Kent Senior Trophy]. We’ll give maximum effort in our next two games and see where that takes us.

“Hopefully, you’ll see the table stretch itself a bit, as well, in terms of where the play-offs are and where we are.

“There’s a little gap appearing there.”

Former Football League frontman Stefan Payne has been in sensational form since he joined the Lilywhites after leaving Tonbridge. Having netted twice inside the first five minutes against Punjab United, the 32-year-old completed his hat-trick with a late penalty.

Moore said: “His first goal is an unbelievable strike with the outside of his right foot, straight into the top corner, and then he scores another from 25 yards.

“But he does always hit the target when he gets a chance. He’s on fire at the minute. He’s playing absolutely superbly and leading the line really well.

“Him and Warren Mfula are linking-up really well. On another day, Mfula gets a few goals but it’s good because our two strikers are linking-up really well and we’re giving them the service.

“That’s what wins you leagues and that’s what wins you titles.

“It’s six wins in a row in the league, which has taken us top.

“That’s what happens. If you stay consistent, then you start to pull away.”

But, despite their rapid start, Faversham didn’t secure the points against Punjab United in front of a crowd of 324 until the 87th minute.

“They were a good side,” admitted Moore. “They were quite direct in terms of how they played, although they got the ball out wide because they had a bit of pace out wide.

“They caused us a few problems. But I thought we started the game really well and two goals in four minutes gave us a real platform to build on. I’m a little bit disappointed that we didn’t go on from there.”

The match saw Taite Holtham make his first appearance for the club, having joined on a work experience loan from Gillingham, and with the 18-year-old selected ahead of under-23s keeper Lewis Briggs.

Moore explained: “Briggsy is a young boy. With the pressure and expectation at Faversham, we just felt we didn’t want to leave it all on his shoulders.

“We just felt it might be better to dip him in, dip him out.

“I wouldn’t be scared to throw him back in if we need to. Those two are fighting it out for that place.

“But also, when you have that relationship with Gills, you want to build that.”