Sam Denly has demanded a more ruthless approach from his Herne Bay side ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup preliminary round tie at Eastbourne United.

Bay drew for the fourth time in six Ryman League, Division 1 South games this season when they were involved in a goalless derby game with Whitstable on Bank Holiday Monday.

Denly said: “It was another game in which we should have taken all three points and we have got to be more ruthless and start turning the draws into wins but it’s a good problem to have because we are not getting beat.

“We are unbeaten in five matches and there are lots of positives to take from that.”

Denly has had this Saturday’s cup opponents watched and expects Eastbourne United to give his side a stiff examination even though they are two divisions below Bay in the non-league pyramid.

United are joint top of Sussex County League Division 2 with four wins from four after beating Seaford 4-0 on Monday.

Denly said: “They are a decent side who score lots of goals and although we will go there as favourites, it’s going to be a challenge.

“It’s the FA Cup and anything can happen but it’s a game we badly want to win because it’s good for the club to do well in the cup. If you can have a little run, it brings in the crowds.”

Providing Saturday’s tie doesn’t require a replay, Bay will be in action in another cup competition on Tuesday, when they take on Ramsgate at home in the first round of the Kent Senior Cup.

Denly is hopeful that Kane Phillip will have recovered from a knock – picked up at Whitstable – in time for the Eastbourne tie but Sam Hasler is still doubtful because of a knee injury.