By Kevin Redsull

Hythe boss Scott Porter accused his side of lacking conviction around the opposition penalty area after Tuesday’s surprise 1-0 home defeat by Herne Bay.

Danny Williams’ 87th-minute strike decided a game which Hythe dominated in terms of possession but they were unable to break through a stubborn Bay defence.

Porter (pictured) said: "Not having one shot on target in a game like that just isn’t good enough.

"We’ve got to make our home ground a fortress and we should be beating teams like Herne Bay, who have just come up a league.

"We were terrible in their final third and people need to start coming to the table because they won’t be at the football club much longer if they carry on like that."

Porter’s mood wasn’t helped by the fact that Dave Cook limped off midway through the second half with an ankle injury which will keep him out of Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Dulwich Hamlet.

On the positive side, Craig Cloke will make his debut but Porter warned: "None of the 14 who played against Herne Bay are guaranteed playing on Saturday."

If Saturday’s preliminary round game is a draw, the replay will be at Reachfields on Tuesday. If it produces a result, Hythe will be in league action on Monday at home to Burgess Hill (3pm), unless Hill require a replay after their own cup tie.