Sam Denly has cooled talk of a late Herne Bay play-off surge in Ryman League, Division 1 South but says he is keen for his side to try and overhaul some local rivals.

Sixth-placed Faversham have a 15-point lead on Bay – who do have four games in hand and climbed to 13th courtesy of Tuesday night’s derby win at home to Whitstable.

A delighted Denly – a former Oystermen skipper – however, insisted: “We are not thinking about the play-offs. The aim for the season was always to be safe in mid-table and comfortable. That has not changed.

“A few weeks back people were saying we were in danger of the trapdoor opening underneath us, so we’ve done well to come back from that and I am pleased we have turned it around.”

He added: "Even if you look like you might be on course for mid-table, you have to set little goals and targets.

“Faversham and (eighth-placed) Ramsgate are local teams who have been up there all season and it would be great if we were able to close the gap.

“There are a lot of players who know each other and lot of friendly rivalry there and, although we know it won’t be easy, we’ll certainly do our best to try and get up there.”

Bay visit rock-bottom Eastbourne on Thursday night, before hosting play-off chasers Walton Casuals on Saturday.