by Alex Hoad

Herne Bay manager Simon Halsey remains convinced his side can overhaul rivals Whitstable in the Ryman League Division 1 South run-in and finish their campaign on a high.

The sides drew 1-1 for the second time this season, at Winch’s Field on Easter Monday and Bay remain a place and a point behind Whitstable in 15th, as just six points separate the bottom eight sides.

The point followed a 3-1 defeat at Ramsgate on Good Friday and a goalless stalemate at home to Hythe two days before that.

Bay face promotion-chasing Leatherhead on Saturday with mid-table Eastbourne to visit Winch’s Field on Wednesday night and Halsey (pictured) welcomed the respite after four straight games against local rivals.

He said: "Sometimes it’s nice to play derby games but sometimes it’s nice to get out of them too. We just want to play games week-in, week out.

"We’ve still got eight to play and there are lots of points to put on the board."

Halsey added: "It was important we didn’t lose to Whitstable because we still have four games in hand on them so hopefully by the end of it, we’ll be a bit away from them. It was important we took something out of the game.

"I don’t want to see Whitstable Town go down and although there’s a lot of rivalry between the clubs, I’m sure they don’t want to see us go down either. It’s a point for both of us and we’re back on for next season."