It’s one match at a time for Mike Sandmann.

The Dover Academy boss has been left in charge of the first-team alongside player-assistant Mitch Brundle after Andy Hessenthaler left his role as manager last Thursday to rejoin Gillingham as head of recruitment.

Sandmann and Brundle were at the helm for the first time for last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at National League South basement boys Hungerford and they are due to remain in joint-interim charge for the next few fixtures.

“To be honest - and it sounds like a lie - but it didn’t even cross my mind,” said the coach, who has previous managerial experience with Margate and Leatherhead, on the prospect of remaining in charge until the end of the season.

“The chairman [Jim Parmenter] said to myself and Brunds to do the next couple of games.

“I’m certainly not looking ahead further than that. We will just keep going one game at a time.”

There’s a busy period ahead for them and their charges, too. Whites welcome third-placed Ebbsfleet to Crabble this Saturday and then face a Kent Senior Cup clash at Isthmian South East Chatham on Tuesday.

Sandmann, speaking on Monday, said: “We will not have much time on the training pitch, unfortunately.

“But we will, obviously, look to change things after Saturday. We finished that game and have not scored, but there were loads of chances.

“Obviously, we are disappointed with the result. It’s not the result we wanted, we did more than enough in the game.

“We had two one-on-ones but we didn’t take our chances and, if you don’t take your chances, you are always going to be vulnerable. The conditions were extremely tough but it was the same for both teams.

“Once they scored, they had something to hold on to. As much as we’re disappointed, we’re pleased with the chances we created.

“We just need to take them and start winning games.”

Hessenthaler had a rollercoaster five-year second spell at Dover, who sit 14th in the table, but Sandmann says the players have responded well to his departure.

“I have to give the players a lot of credit,” he said.

“They responded brilliantly.

“The manager is a fantastic manager. He’s well respected, not only as a manager, but as a person.

"But I’m pleased with the players and how they have responded and we have to stick together.”

Whites had been training during the day this season and, despite Hessenthaler’s exit, that’s unlikely to change immediately.

Sandmann said: “We cannot change anything overnight.

“That’s something, in time, for the chairman and the club to decide. Myself and Brunds are looking forward to the next game until told to do anything differently.

“Those decisions are not for us.”

Sandmann also commented on the recent departure of kit manager Richard Harvey, who took on a range of other responsibilities, as well as organising the kit.

He noted: “You couldn’t list the jobs he did. The jobs he did go way above any job description!

“He was fantastic at the club and he was fantastic with the Academy as well. I know the club will be looking to fill the gap he has left.

“But that’s down to the football club. Our job is to try and get results.”

And while Sandmann accepts it’s a tricky time at Crabble at the moment, he’s keen to get fans onside.

“The fans want to see a team who are giving everything for the football club,” he said.

“That’s what myself and Brunds are trying to keep in the players, and that’s what we will do.

"Does that mean that will always work? Absolutely not.

“But, hopefully, that’s something the supporters coming to watch the game will never be able to question.”

Dover on Tuesday won 1-0 at home against Taunton. Striker Alfie Pavey scored the only goal while experienced goalkeeper Stuart Nelson saved a penalty.

They are searching for a kit manager and a media officer in paid part-time roles.

Anyone interested should email their CV to jointheteam@doverathletic.com, with those wanting to take on the media officer role also needing to send across two examples of their work.