Manager James Collins conceded Ethan Smith’s sending-off was a vital moment in Herne Bay’s home defeat against Burgess Hill on Saturday.

Bay’s four-game unbeaten Isthmian South East run, which included back-to-back away victories, ended as they lost 2-0 to the third-placed Hillians at Winch’s Field.

The match was goalless when midfielder Smith was controversially dismissed in the first half, challenging for a loose ball in the air.

Collins reflected: “It was an acceptable performance. I felt we gave it everything.

“The referee was so, so poor. To be fair, we have had some contentious decisions in our last few games.

“Croydon had their keeper [Amadou Tangara] sent off - which they successfully appealed - when we played them at home (in a 2-2 draw).

“This red card, which we’re appealing, is never a red card. It’s not the only decision he got wrong, either, but they kept the ball well and scored two goals at crucial times.

“The first was three minutes into first-half injury time and then we hit the post in the second half before they went straight down the other end and scored.

“The sending-off changed the game, but Burgess Hill are a good side and we gave a good account of ourselves.”

While 17th-placed Bay have appealed against Smith’s suspension, Collins isn’t confident it will be overturned.

“I’m not convinced it will be overturned because I don’t have any faith in that system,” he said.

“There’s a video of it online. I don’t think anyone in the ground thought it was a red card.

“Some have even said that they think it’s a foul the other way, which I don’t think it was.

“It’s just two players challenging for the ball in the air and one gets there before the other.

“Mind you, as much as I say the referee killed the game, he didn’t score two goals. But he did make it hard for us.”

Bay also had to replace Alfie Hill late on - despite the young midfielder only having come on early in the second half.

Collins said: “He picked up a knock in the warm-up.

"Perhaps, we shouldn’t have brought him on, but we did.

“We decided towards the end that we didn’t want to make it any worse but, hopefully, it’s nothing major.”

Collins watched Herne Bay under-23s beat Southern Counties East League Development East leaders Chatham 3-0 last Monday - and was impressed with what he saw.

First-team player Kane Haysman, midfielder Jamie Lartice and striker Vinnie Bowman got their goals.

He said: “We have got Frankie Smith missing and he’s a big player for the club. Jordy Ndozid was missing, as well, and so was Josh Reid.

“So, we had three players missing on Saturday - three good players - but it’s a great opportunity for us to play these youngsters.

“If we decide to put them out on loan next season, we’ll need to know what sort of level they can play at. But I would like to have them in pre-season.

“Alfie Hill and Monty Saunders have come in and done well, there’s plenty of good players in there. I watched the under-23s against Chatham and I felt that they were outstanding.

“We could bring people in but, as I’ve said before, I want to build something long term, and it’s a good opportunity to see what we have got.”

Next up is a trip to play-off chasing Merstham, who were beaten 4-2 at home by Deal on Tuesday, this weekend.

“I would like to see what we’re like against a team pushing for the play-offs with 11 men,” said Collins. “Hopefully, Ethan’s appeal will be successful and Josh Reid will be back.

“Maybe, we will bring one in, we have got a seven-dayer in for someone, and it will be a chance for me to really see what we’re about.

"But we’re being asked a lot of questions at the minute - and we’re getting answers - which is really positive.”

Young wideman Reid scored for Bay in a 1-1 home draw against Merstham in mid-January in their first fixture following Steve Lovell’s exit as manager.