Harry Brooks produced a second-half penalty save for Herne Bay at Sevenoaks and the goalkeeper has earned praise from boss Steve Lovell.

Brooks denied experienced forward Kieron Cadogan from a controversially-awarded spot-kick after a foul by defender Frankie Smith as Bay came from behind to win the Isthmian South East match 2-1 last weekend.

Bromley loanee Sam German and top scorer Michael Salako were on target for Bay.

Brooks had been at fault for Ashford’s second in their 2-2 home draw on New Year’s Day – but made amends at Mill Lane.

“I’m really pleased for Harry,” said Lovell, with Brooks also playing in midweek for Whitstable as their No.1, Dan Eason, was out through injury.

“The previous week against Ashford, he made a mistake for the second goal.

“He has been playing really well, apart from one or two little errors. Outfield players can make a mistake and get away with it. Goalkeepers make an error and it’s a goal.

Bay man makes team-of-the-week

“Harry has been very solid for us this year. He made that penalty save - but he has also been commanding his area and his positional play is very good. He deserves a bit of credit.

“He has been playing well, just making the odd mistake that takes away from all the good things he has been doing in games.”

Sevenoaks struck first through defender Jahmal Howlett-Mundle, only for defender German to equalise five minutes later before 15-goal Salako completed their turnaround.

Lovell, whose team had taken just a point from their last three games, reflected: “We played well.

“I know they missed a penalty that was never a penalty - even their manager (Mark Dacey) said it was never a penalty at the end - but it was what we deserved.

“We didn’t deserve to lose the game or only get a point. We deserved to win it after being a goal down.

“Second half, we created a lot of opportunities to put the game to bed. It was a good win and one we needed.

“After a tough Christmas period, it was nice to get three points.”

It was just a second Herne Bay goal for German.

Lovell said: “Sam is a very good prospect. He loves it with us. He’s confident and a good player.

“He scored that one - but he should have scored another. His second chance was easier than the first!

“But the boys love playing with him at the club and he has been brilliant.”

Bay, ninth in the league, kept themselves on the fringes in the play-off hunt through their win at Sevenoaks.

While Lovell is enjoying his time with the club, having surprisingly been sacked by Ramsgate last year, the ex-Gillingham boss knows how quickly things can change after being linked with the vacant manager’s position at ambitious neighbours Faversham. The Lilywhites, instead, appointed Tommy Warrilow yesterday.

He said: “I love it here and everyone at Herne Bay deserves a lot of credit for what they’re doing.

“It’s a lovely club to be a part of - but football is a funny old game.

“I just go from week to week. I don’t know what will happen in the future - no one does. But nothing surprises me anymore.

“I’ve been in the game a long time and know anything can happen, just look what happened to me at Ramsgate last year. But we’re at a lovely club in Herne Bay.

“Me and Mark (his son and assistant) will keep doing what we’re doing until anything happens.”

Bay host strugglers Merstham this Saturday and visit fellow play-off hopefuls Chichester on Tuesday.

Lovell noted: “Merstham have been at this level for a few years now. They’re not having the best season so far.

“Every game is tough but, if we play well, we can get a result. We have got Merstham, Chichester and then Phoenix, which are very different challenges. But we will approach them all the same.

“We have only lost five (league) games all year and that’s a nice position to be in.”

While forward Gil Carvalho and midfielder Archie Burnett returned from injury at Sevenoaks, another midfielder is to miss the next few Herne Bay fixtures.

“Jacob Gilbert is away for a few weeks,” explained Lovell.

“He has to go away with his work.

“That’s a shame because he has been playing very well.”