John Embery believes that all that is missing for Herne Bay to turn their season around is a bit of luck.

Bay find themselves second from bottom of the Bostik South East with only Thamesmead Town, who folded earlier this season, below them.

They face Ashford United on Saturday and are hoping to build on the performance in the defeat to Haywards Heath Town.

Joint-manager Embery said: “The main thing is that we take confidence going forward. Haywards Heath are a top side so if we can maintain the way we played we will start winning games again.

“I’m looking forward to the game against Ashford. We are starting to get a lot of players back.

Saturday was a big thing for our confidence. In the second half they all knew they played well.

“We know that confidence is coming back so we just need that little bit of luck.”

Bay were due to travel to Guernsey on Wednesday for a league match and needed to make a number of changes from the previous game.

Embery said: “It is always difficult to get a side out as people have to work and can’t take two days off at short notice.

“It will be a very different side to the one we put out on Saturday. It is a chance for some of those players to stake a claim for a place at the weekend.”

Embery was pleased with the performance from his side in the match with Haywards Heath despite the 1-0 defeat.

On another day he believes Bay would have earned a comfortable victory.

He added: “On another day it could have been 10-1 and it was the best performance all season from the boys.

“Their goalkeeper was inspired and their website even said it was a smash and grab job by Haywards Heath.

“We hit the post, had a goal ruled out for offside and just didn’t seem to have any luck.

“We made one mistake and they scored from it. It was just one of those games. I have to take my hat off to the boys as they were excellent.”