Sam Denly described Herne Bay’s festive form as pretty dreadful but says he won’t be rushing to re-sign Stuart King.

The former Winch’s Field striker left Faversham Town at the weekend and was immediately linked with his former club but while the pair have spoken, the Bay boss says a return isn’t on the cards.

Denly said: “We had a conversation. Stuart and I know each other well and he asked for my advice.

“He is sure to get offers but we have got a good dressing room and squad and I haven’t really got the budget.

“He still might do a bit of training with us to keep fit.”

Denly blamed “a mad six or seven minutes” for the 4-0 defeat at Ryman League, Division 1 South leaders Folkestone Invicta on Saturday which capped a pointless Christmas and New Year programme, following defeats to Ramsgate (1-0) and Whitstable (2-0).

He said: “It was pretty dreadful, not great and frustrating.

“What happened was unlike us. We were 1-0 down having played against the elements. I was expecting a good second half but then the game was gone and out of sight.

“Three poor results and firing blanks is a bit of a test for us because we had been flying.

“I won’t be looking to bring other players in, so it’s up to us to dust ourselves down and put things right by getting a result at home to Molesey on Saturday (3pm).”

He added: “We are still very much in contention, still seventh and in touching distance of the top four, with games in hand.

“It just goes to show where we could have been.”

Mark Lovell and Danny Walder return to the squad to face Molesey who have dropped out of play-off contention but won 2-1 at Surrey rivals Corinthian Casuals on Saturday, only their second victory in eight games.

Bay host Vanarama National South Dartford in the quarter-finals of the Kent Reliance Senior Cup on Tuesday night (7.45pm).