Coach Tim Dixon concedes Herne Bay had a January to forget - as one of Ben Smith’s backroom team moves on.

Isthmian Premier Potters Bar have announced Bay head coach Darren Beale has become new manager Sammy Moore’s assistant, the pair worked together at Hemel Hempstead.

Beale is joined at Potters Bar by Herne Bay right-back Jacques Kpohomouh who has also signed following the appointment of Deal-born former Football League midfielder Moore.

On the field, Smith’s side lost 2-1 at Isthmian Premier Margate in the Velocity Cup on Tuesday, despite Bode Anidugbe’s fine second-half strike, having been beaten 2-0 at Isthmian South East promotion rivals Ramsgate last weekend.

“It’s not the January that we hoped for, although we had a couple of tough fixtures in there as well which we felt we were unlucky in,” reflected Dixon.

“At Ramsgate, I thought we played quite well on Saturday but two mistakes cost us. Their keeper has made a hell of a save, and we hit the bar in the first half and in the second half.

“The Ashford game was quite tough and we were unlucky not to take three points in the games against Corinthian and Sittingbourne, which we drew.

“On Tuesday, we put in a very, very good performance at Margate.

"We were unlucky not to take it to penalties. But a couple of magic moments from them were the difference.

“We could do with winning ugly.

"It’s a cliche but, sometimes, you just need to get three points on the board.

"But all through this period, we have had tremendous support from the Herne Bay faithful."

Sixth-placed Bay will host East Grinstead, who are on an eight-game unbeaten run, this Saturday.

“When we are playing at home, we should not be fearing anyone,” insisted Dixon.

“We’re not there to draw, we want to win every game. There’s not too much thinking about them (the opposition), it’s about how we approach the game.

“We have just slipped out of the play-offs and so this is a pivotal time in the season for us.”

Dixon and assistant Ben Brown are now left primarily assisting boss Smith.

Ex-Ramsgate and Hythe boss Dixon is enjoying his coaching role, away from the pressures which come with being in the hot-seat.

“Darren has decided to step back up to that league,” said Dixon.

“He has been brilliant for us.

"For me personally, most (non-league) managers will tell you it’s like a full-time job. There’s a lot of hours you need to put in behind-the-scenes that people don’t see.

“I couldn’t commit to that. But I’m there to offer Ben as much advice as possible.”

In a club statement on the double departure of Beale and Kpohomouh, Bay said on Wednesday: "We would like to put on record our thanks and appreciation to our head coach Darren Beale, who has left Herne Bay’s coaching team to join Potters Bar Town.

"Darren had been with Herne Bay since pre-season in 2019 - and we have all witnessed the improvement in the team, so moving to the Isthmian Premier was a move that he decided to take before yesterday’s match against Margate.

"We now have a fantastic opportunity for a qualified coach to join our first-team and would welcome anybody interested to send a CV to hbfc.secretary@gmail.com.

"As this is a part-time coaching role with our first-team, additional paid work is available for time spent coaching at our junior Academy, which runs on Monday evenings.

"We would also like to let you know that Jacques Kpohomouh has amicably left Herne Bay to join Potters Bar Town, and we wish him well.

"Kpog played in all eight games since joining us from Hartley Wintney towards the end of December."

Bay visit Chichester on Tuesday night.