Whyteleafe boss Stuart Massey admitted his players had bailed him out on Tuesday night as they wiped out a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 at Ramsgate, writes Sam Munnery.

Massey conceded that he might have got his tactics wrong before early injuries to two of his players turned the game in the visitors' favour.

Leafe were already 2-0 down by the time Leon McDowall and Kieron McCann hobbled off with 32 minutes gone, but the arrival of their replacements Danny Oakins and Darren Watson – and a change in formation – saw Leafe dominate.

Heavy traffic and a delayed arrival possibly contributed to their slow start, but they recovered for a deserved point.

"We got there a bit late and we were a bit slow out of the blocks," Massey said. "But we did well in the end and I'm well pleased. We had to change personnel early on meaning we had to go [from a 4-5-1 formation] to a 4-4-2 and that worked in our favour. Darren Watson and Danny Oakins gave us a bit more fight up front. [Striker] Leon McDowall was carrying a bit of a groin injury.

"With hindsight, I hold my hands up – we probably started with the wrong line-up. We went to Croydon Athletic and played five in midfield and gave one of our best performances of the season [winning 2-0], but in the last couple of games it hasn't functioned.

"Tactically we probably didn't get it right, but we got there in the end."

Massey is likely to revert to a 4-4-2 formation on Saturday when Leafe face second-bottom Whitstable in the first of three consecutive home games.

Leafe have tended to under-perform against the Ryman League One South's lesser sides. "I said to the lads on Tuesday night, we've got Whitstable at home on Saturday and we always do well against the bottom teams – and they all laughed," he said.

"It's about time we turned over one of those struggling teams at home because we have not performed at home at all."

Neighbours Merstham, with just five points in eight games, visit Church Road on Tuesday for a re-arranged game.

The plummeting Moatsiders, who began the season well, are now just a point and a place above Leafe. More than just local pride is at stake.

Massey said: "Merstham started quite well but have slowed down a bit recently. However, it's a local derby so it will be a tough game. Hopefully, being at home, we can win it."