Sam Denly won’t allow Stuart King’s departure from Herne Bay to detract from the club’s push for the Ryman League, Division 1 South play-offs.

Bay moved into the top-five for the first time this season with a 2-0 win at South Park on Tuesday night, stretching their unbeaten run to 10 games.

However, the victory came at a cost, with striker Danny Williams sustaining a suspected broken foot.

Rivals Faversham confirmed King’s switch to Salters Lane yesterday (Wednesday) but it’s understood the parting of the ways with Bay happened a couple of weeks ago.

Denly said: “One or two things happened off the field and I just felt it was best for him and the club for Stuart to go – we left on good terms.”

The form of Mark Lovell and Steven Ita has consigned top scorer King to the substitutes’ bench in recent weeks.

He re-joined Bay in September 2013 from Folkestone, three years after leaving Winch’s Field to join Thamesmead.

King leaves, having scored 23 goals in 36 appearances this season.

Denly hailed Tuesday’s win, secured by second-half goals by Sam Hasler and Danny Walder (penalty) as “fantastic”.

He added: “We were outstanding and it could have been four of five. We are playing with confidence and flying.”

The victory followed the 1-0 success at East Grinstead on Saturday, secured with Ita’s 73rd-minute strike.

Denly added: “It was a patient performance and won with a quality finish.

“I wanted nine points out of nine from our last three away games and it’s six clean sheets in our unbeaten 10-game run.

“Keeper Jack Delo and the back four have been in great form and don’t get enough praise.”

On Saturday, Bay host runaway leaders Burgess Hill – unbeaten in their 35 games this season.

Denly said: “It’s a massive game for us, but one we can enjoy because nobody is expecting us to win.

“It is a fantastic achievement and they deserve all the plaudits they are getting. I can’t be the only manager who wants to try and end it.”

Meanwhile, midfielder Ben Brown, just back after ankle trouble, now needs a scan on an injured knee.