Steve Lovell is delighted to see the hard work Herne Bay have done building their defensive resolve reaping rewards.

Bay progressed to the second qualifying round of the FA Cup as they saw off Ashford Town (Middlesex) 2-0 through first-half goals by wideman Frankie Smith and striker Mike Salako last weekend.

While Harry Brooks replaced Gillingham loanee keeper Taite Holtam, Herne Bay still kept a second straight shut-out.

It was the first time Isthmian South East side Bay have kept consecutive clean sheets since the 2021/22 campaign, which ended in promotion.

Bay manager Lovell said: “That’s two on the spin.

“I was talking to (Bay's vice-chairman) John Bathurst on Monday and he said that it’s the first time we have kept two clean sheets on the spin since 2022.

"He did initially say 1922 but I thought that had to be wrong!

“It’s good. It’s good for Harry in goal and the defence in front of him protected him really well on Saturday.

“It was nice to keep another clean sheet. Last year, we knew we were very expansive.

“We were always scoring goals but we were always open to conceding them, as well.

"That’s something we have worked on. When we were going forward last year, we were not organised defensively for the counter-attack.

“We’ve done some work on that, we have got the boys to understand why we do what we do. They have taken it on board.

“When we’re on the attack, we’ve been more organised, defensively, against the counter-attack.”

Smith put Bay ahead against Ashford, as he combined with fellow wing-back Jack Parter on 10 minutes.

Parter’s penalty was disallowed due to both feet having been ruled to have hit the ball.

And Salako was then adjudged to have got the last touch on Smith’s corner on 36 minutes to double their advantage.

“It was a good performance,” Lovell reflected. “We played really well and scored twice.

“We actually scored from a penalty, as well, but that was disallowed. We hit the crossbar three or four times.

“It was a really good performance on Saturday and it was nice to get through to the next round.”

Herne Bay have been drawn at home to Isthmian Premier Hendon in the FA Cup second qualifying round on Saturday, September 14.

Hendon knocked Bay out of the FA Cup two years ago.

Lovell said: “They played them a couple of years ago in the FA Cup and it finished 3-2 up there so it’s nice to have them at home.

“They will be favourites to get through, being a club from a higher division, but you never know what happens in the FA Cup.

"It will be nice if we can get a result.”

Bay’s away cup clash also saw defender Joel Odeniran, on dual registration from Folkestone, make his first start.

“He had a really good game,” said Lovell. “Him and Skye Salmon were either side of Liam Friend.

“They sort of complemented Friendy because they’re both very quick. It was a good combination.

“With Frankie and Jack Parter either side of them, it was quite a good five in defence.

“That allowed Frankie and Jack to be a threat going forward, as well.”

Next up for Bay is an FA Trophy first qualifying round tie as they welcome Southern League Central Northwood to Winch’s Field this Saturday. Bay visit Hythe in Isthmian South East on Tuesday.

Lovell, who expects to have forward Kane Rowland and midfielder Kane Haysman back at his disposal, said: “Northwood have not had the best of starts to their season.

“They’re one-from-bottom of their league. But you can never take anything for granted.

“It’s a matter of us going out and performing. If we put in a good performance and work hard together as a unit, we have got a chance.

"That’s the benchmark for everybody.

“If we keep performing, we should have quite a good season.

“We need to make sure defensively we’re as solid because, going forward, we still look like scoring.”

The winners of Bay’s Trophy tie will earn £1,500.