Sam Denly insists Herne Bay still have plenty to play for in the final month of the season – including a derby revenge mission on Easter Monday.

A 0-0 home draw against Ryman League, Division 1 South strugglers Redhill last Saturday proved a damaging blow to their play-off chances, as they slipped five points adrift of rivals Whyteleafe, 3-1 winners at Horsham.

Bay manager Denly said: “They (Whyteleafe) are firm favourites and can afford to lose two or three games while we have got to win all ours.

“We want to finish as high as we can, whether that’s fifth or sixth.”

Bay, who are already on course for their best-ever finish since being promoted as Kent League champions in 2012, will be looking to avenge the 4-1 defeat at The Belmont on Boxing Day, when Whitstable come calling on Easter Monday.

Sam Hasler’s early strike was as good as it got for Bay in the festive fixture, with boss Denly admitting they owe the fans a good derby performance.

He said: “The whole focus will be to avenge what was a bad day for us (on Boxing Day).

“The result and performance still lingers with me, the players and supporters.

“We owe it to the fans who follow us every week and the boys owe it to themselves as well.”

However, before the derby, Bay travel to relegation-threatened Hastings on Saturday.

The Sussex side have changed their manager twice in a disappointing season and Denly admitted: “It’s a massive surprise to see them struggling because they are a big, established club.

“They are where they are for a reason, though, we have to go there and show why we are where we were.”

Reflecting on the Redhill stalemate last Saturday, Denly said: “We had two or three good chances.

“Jordan Casey missed a glorious one from five yards which would have won the game. Overall, though, we lacked quality in the final third.

“Redhill came with two banks of four and were difficult to break down.”

Danny Williams is available to return this weekend following a foot injury.

Meanwhile, Denly predicted no activity before the transfer deadline which expired at midnight on Tuesday.