Sam Denly believes his side are in a good position to strike for home as the race for the final Ryman League, Division 1 South play-off spot gathers pace.

Herne Bay dropped to eighth after Whitstable’s 3-2 win at Hythe on Tuesday night but only five points cover the six clubs between fifth and 10th.

Boss Denly said: “It’s tight but we are where we want to be. We still have to play Whitstable (on Easter Monday) and go to Whyteleafe, on the final day of the season.”

Bay, unbeaten in eight games, and with 17 points out of the last 24 on the road, go to relegation strugglers East Grinstead on Saturday, before making their first trip to Reigate side South Park next Tuesday – and they will be hoping it’s third time lucky after two postponements.

Denly will be looking to follow up on last week’s 4-3 win at Chipstead but admitted: “East Grinstead’s win (at play-off contenders) Merstham did raise the eyebrows but I have said all season, every team in this league is capable of beating each other on their day.”

“It was still a fantastic effort against a good side. We were poor in the second half but held on.

Skipper Liam Quinn returns to the squad but Joe Nelder is unavailable. Denly is waiting for news on Ben Brown, sidelined with an ankle njury.

He said: “He was due to see a physio on Wednesday night If he gets the
all-clear, he could be involved at the weekend."