Herne Bay are going back to basics in a bid to keep their play-off hopes on track.

Bay ended a run of three straight defeats in Ryman League, Division 1 South when they beat Molesey 3-1 on Saturday.

Manager Sam Denly instructed his players to keep it simple on a difficult Winch’s Field pitch and it’s a tactic worth persevering with as the wintry weather continues.

Victory lifted Bay back up to fifth with 18 games left.

Denly said: “We needed that after three defeats on the bounce. It was important to stop the rot and get back to winning ways.

“It’s a results business. We’ve been playing well but picking up no points.

“In some regards, we went back to basics on Saturday. The pitch played a part in that.

“We tried to be a little bit more direct and play in the final third because of the pitch and maybe that worked slightly.

“You’ve got to have a Plan B – and a Plan C at times. Pitches do dictate how you play sometimes and it certainly did on Saturday for us.

“We were decent. We had more than enough opportunities and it could have been four or five.

“We missed a couple of one-on-ones again but to score three goals and be creating as many chances as we are, was pleasing.

“We hadn’t become a bad team overnight because of those results and we’re now back in the top-five, which is where we want to remain.”

Folkestone are 14 points clear at the top but the 13 teams underneath them are separated by just 11 points.

Denly said: “It is tight this year and you’d do well to call who’s going to be in there come the end of the season.

“I think Folkestone will win the league but then it’s probably out of 10 teams to complete the top-five.

“We’ve got what some would call favourable fixtures coming up but we’re playing some teams who are scrapping for points themselves.”

That run starts with a trip to fourth-bottom Walton and Hersham on Saturday and continues at Chatham on Tuesday.

Danny Walder has a calf injury and is set to be sidelined for several weeks but Denly isn’t planning on adding to his squad. He said: “A few players have cropped up but I’m happy with what I’ve got.

“Lee Browning came in a few weeks back but I imagine he’ll be the last addition. I’ve got a fantastic squad this year and it’s got us to where we are now, so hopefully that’ll be good enough.”