Manager Steve Lovell was delighted with the performances of Herne Bay’s two recalled players at Three Bridges - but concedes they might come straight back out of the team.

Defenders Tom Hanfrey and Dan Carrington returned for their Isthmian South East 1-1 draw at Jubilee Walk with player-coach Liam Friend and 10-goal striker Kane Rowland ruled out through suspension.

Neither Hanfrey or Carrington did their chances of earning a more regular starting berth any harm, although Lovell hinted they may still have to make way with the experienced pair of Friend and Rowland available once again.

Lovell said: “We will train this week and see how everybody is.

“Liam and Kane have been a massive part of our success this year. They missed last weekend and the players coming in did well.

“But if they (Friend and Rowland) are fit, they will probably play because they have done well.

“Liam and Kane have been brilliant for us all year. That’s why Dan and Tom haven’t had as many games as they would have liked - but they did well on Saturday.

“The squad is not the biggest in the world. If you can utilise the squad and the [fringe] players do a job when called upon, that’s very important.

“It will be a shame in some ways because those that have come in don’t deserve to come out.

“But it might be a decision I have to make - we will see.”

Forward Gil Carvalho gave Bay the lead shortly after the half-hour mark, only for a controversial second-half penalty, awarded for a foul by defender Harrison Pont, to earn the hosts - who had netted 12 times in three straight wins - a point.

Lovell reflected: “First half, we were excellent.

“We hit the post and had two other really good chances. Their keeper made a couple of good saves. We looked in control but they had to have a go in the second half - and they did.

“Harry (Brooks, Bay goalkeeper) made a couple of saves and we had a couple of opportunities to make it 2-0.

“Then, they got a penalty. I thought it was a bit harsh.

“Although we were in front and they came back to get a point late on, a point was probably a fair reflection.”

Carvalho’s effort came after newly-signed striker Vance Bola had closed down an attempted clearance by goalkeeper Finlay Westen.

Lovell noted: “He closed down well and the keeper made a mistake and it fell to Gil.

“Just before that, Gil hit the post and Vance went through one-on-one with their keeper and he made a save.

“Vance has been a very good acquisition. The games he has played, he has done really well in and on Saturday he was a threat.

“We’re creating chances. We’re not taking enough opportunities but as long as we’re creating them, we will always score goals.”

Bay remain just outside the play-off positions in the table.

Lovell said: “There’s nine games left this season for us and it’s going to go to the wire.

“Our last two games are against Cray Valley and Chichester. We want to still be in with a shout for those games. We have got four home games and five away games left.

“It’s going to be an exciting end to the season. That’s what we wanted. We wanted to give the club something to cheer about.

“We have perhaps done better than everyone thought we would - now, let’s keep it going.

“The more points we have got, the more chance we have of getting into the play-offs.

“It’s in our hands, really. All the top clubs are playing against each other on a weekly basis. We just need to focus on ourselves.”

Next up for Herne Bay is Saturday’s trip to Merstham, a side who could still be dragged into the relegation zone. The Moatsiders won 2-0 at title-chasing Ramsgate last month but have won only once since and suffered a 2-1 weekend loss at Phoenix Sports.

Lovell said: “Their results have been very much up and down.

“Beckenham and Erith [& Belvedere] are putting in much better performances than they did at the start of the season.

“Cray only beat Erith through two late goals at the weekend and Beckenham were 2-0 up against Ramsgate (losing 5-2).

“Saturday is going to be another tough game.”