John Fowler praised the Whyteleafe fans for singing the side to the verge of the Ryman Division One South play-off final.

The Leafe missed out on a place in Saturday’s final against Merstham after a 2-1 wxtra-time defeat at Folkestone Invicta.

However, boss Fowler recognised the fans’ support throughout the season as being key to the club’s continuing success, and hopes for future glory.

Exclusive: Fowler is going nowhere

He said: “The fans were excellent all night – the 30 or so of them out-sung the Folkestone supporters.

“But they have been brilliant all year with their vocal support, home and away, and some of the songs they come out with have been superb.”

He added: “They have been brilliant for the club and that is what draws everyone to Whyteleafe.”

On a sour note, the visiting fans were caught up in ugly scenes during the second half of extra time and at the final whistle when scuffles broke out in the shed end of the ground in scenes reminiscent of last year's play-off final trouble against Leatherhead.

On both occasions, blame has been placed on a group of fans unknown to the club who allegedly bunked into the ground with illegally bought alcohol.

The Leafe fans went to social media to vent their anger post-match.

The Pat Butcher Fan Club wrote: "It was obvious what a dire situation we were in, penned in from both sides with a snarling mob spoiling for a fight and you'd have to be blind and deaf not to realise how volatile the situation was.

"It's all well and good for Folkestone's "real fans" to start apologising afterwards but WHY DIDN'T YOU HELP WHILST IT WAS HAPPENING?"

MrsK wrote: "I was so sad at the way things happened yesterday evening. It is the first time I have ever felt threatened at a match involving Whyteleafe, well any football match actually - including Chelsea in the 80s."

BenYoung1981, a Folkestone fan, said: "It's very sad that yet again this is what we are talking about. When will proper lessons be learned? Our reputation is sadly now tarnished again. This has to be sorted."

Folkestone Invicta officials have been unavailable for comment.