There is plenty for Herne Bay to build on - despite missing out on the play-offs this season - manager Steve Lovell believes.

Bay’s derby defeat at home against Sheppey last weekend ended their hopes of a top-five Isthmian South East finish.

While Lovell doesn’t necessarily reckon his squad have overachieved given the quality they have, he and son-assistant Mark Lovell were only ever really expected to consolidate at Step Four this term after Isthmian Premier relegation last season and a tumultuous summer.

“At the start of the season, we started very well,” he said.

“That paves the way for the rest of the season.

“If you have a poor start, you can find yourself fighting relegation. But that (a good start) meant our momentum was going towards the top-end of the table, rather than the bottom.

“We were in that position and just kept going. If you get close, that’s brilliant for the club and the supporters.

“I don’t know if we have over-achieved because the players are good enough. Only two teams can go up - the other 18 won’t - so we have done well to finish where we will finish.

“It’s something to build on next year. The majority (of the players) will be with us next year.

“We just need to add a couple more.”

Seventh-placed Bay could still finish either a place higher or lower than where they are now - not that Lovell is too concerned!

He said: “It doesn’t make much difference for us now.

“We know we’re not making the play-offs. It doesn’t make a difference if we come sixth, eighth or 15th.”

They were edged out 2-1 by Ernie Batten’s Ites, another team who are just going to miss out on the play-offs, in front of a 582-strong crowd at Winch’s Field.

Lovell reflected: “It was a good game. Again, we let ourselves down.

“We gave goals away by individual mistakes and that’s been the story of our season. But I thought we played well.

“We hit the woodwork three times and their goalkeeper (Aiden Prall) has made some good saves.

“But we haven’t taken our chances.”

That meant substitute Theo Osinfolarin’s second-half strike - a fine curling effort - was in vain.

“It was a really good goal,” noted Lovell, who brought in Bola Dawodu for the sidelined Danny Walder (Achilles) in midfield. “Theo started the season really well.

“He had a bit of a rough patch when he got injured but he’s a good lad.

“He came on and scored a really good goal, and created some really good chances. One for Kane Rowland, who hit the crossbar, and one for Mike Salako, who should have scored.

“But it’s been a good season overall.”

Herne Bay will visit title-chasing Cray Valley this Saturday and Lovell is eager to ensure his troops don’t take their foot off the pedal for the final two fixtures.

Lovell, whose side end their season at home to Chichester next weekend, said: “It’s a big game on Saturday.

“It’s important we prepare ourselves properly. They’re a very good side and they still have got a very good chance of winning the title.

“So, we need to make sure we approach it in the right way and try to get a result.

“Then, Chichester are already in the play-offs, so they probably will be saving some.

“We will just go as strong as we can.”