Herne Bay manager Sam Denly’s disappointment at losing to Hastings United on Tuesday night was mitigated to some extent by his success in attracting Stuart King back to Winch’s Field.

The prolific striker, twice a winner of the Ryman League Division 1 South Golden Boot, rejoined his hometown club from Folkestone Invicta on Tuesday, for a reported fee of £3,000.

King signed just too late to be able to play against Hastings as Bay’s eight-match unbeaten league run came to an end with a 2-0 defeat.

The striker also faces a three-match ban at some stage after being sent-off in his last game for Folkestone, a 4-2 win against Walton & Hersham on Saturday.

Bay’s midweek defeat was another match in which they created and missed plenty of chances, underlying their need for a striker of King’s pedigree.

Denly said: “I wanted a striker who was going to get me 25 goals a season and I think everyone will agree that, in Stuart King, I’ve gone and got one.

“He’s a proven striker at this level and he’s a local lad who wants to play for his hometown team.

“I’ve been speaking to Stuart for a few weeks now and I’m pleased to have finally got the deal done.”

King, who scored a hat-trick for Bay against Sevenoaks in the 2010 Kent League Cup final, will make his return in Saturday’s game at Peacehaven & Telscombe, who have made a solid start to life in Ryman League, Division 1 South following their promotion from the Sussex County League last season.

Denly added: “I was disappointed to lose to Hastings but we mustn’t forget that we had gone eight matches unbeaten and we are still 13th in the league, which is pretty comfortable.

“Now we’ve got to look to start another run at Peacehaven.”

Kane Phillips (ankle) and Dan Lawrence (rib) will miss Saturday’s game and also next Tuesday’s Kent Senior Cup second-round tie at Whitstable.

Denly said: “It’s always nice to be involved in a local derby and hopefully it will draw a decent crowd.”