Herne Bay boss Sam Denly is sticking by Sam Hasler but admits the player is heading for one last chance.

Sent off five times last season, Hasler has been dismissed in successive games against Guernsey and Hemel Hempstead, both for violent conduct.

He started a seven-game ban this week and has been heavily fined by the Winch’s Field club.

Denly said: “I am willing to stand-by him but he is heading for the last chance saloon.

“What happened in Guernsey was unacceptable and he let everyone down again. I have had several conversations with Sam and will have more in the future.

“He is highly thought of by everybody at the club and is a lovely lad off the field but says there is no real reason for it (his indiscipline).

“He gets clattered by opponents and something seems to snap inside him.”

Hasler’s indiscipline is an extra worry for Denly having seen his side concede leads against Guernsey (5-1) and Hythe (3-1) in midweek to extend their losing sequence in Ryman League, Division 1 South to five matches.

The run has seen Bay slip into the bottom-three, with only one win in their last nine matches in all competitions.

Denly said: “In four years in charge this is the toughest period I have had to endure.

Losing becomes a habit, just as winning does. If we were 25 games into the season it would be a worry but we have a lot of time to put things right.

“It is not nice and frustrating. We are conceding too many goals which is the result of not being able to field a settled back line.”

Bay’s injury situation is improving, with Connor Sanders and Joe Kennett returning, while Gary Sayer, yet to play this season because of a knee problem, is expected to train tonight (Thursday) and could return at home to third-placed Corinthian Casuals on Saturday.

Carshalton Athletic, in sixth, then visit on Tuesday (7.45pm)