Sam Denly wants no slip-ups when Herne Bay visit Ryman League Division 1 South bottom club Godalming Town on Saturday.

The Surrey side have been the division’s whipping-boys so far this season, former manager Andy Hunt quitting following a 10-0 humbling at Carshalton Athletic last month.

They have taken only one point out of a possible 33, after the 6-2 defeat at South Park on Wednesday evening.

Bay slipped back into the bottom three themselves on Monday evening, following Chatham’s 5-2 home win against Ramsgate, but Denly wants Saturday’s FA Trophy preliminary round victory at Barton Rovers to act as a much needed boost to help improve their disappointing league form.

He said: “It was a good win and a really good performance, we created a lot, and were excellent.

“Now we need to go on a run in the league, Godalming haven’t been winning games, and we don’t want them to start against us.”

He added: “We have got to do better, players and management collectively, because we have under-achieved for whatever reason.

“The league is tougher, clubs are throwing more money at it, and it’s difficult.

“It’s not about just retaining Ryman League status for me, I want to do better than that and compete.”

Connor Sanders (back) and Danny Williams (leg) are doubtful for the weekend, while Joe Kennett has been released as he doesn’t figure in Denly’s plans.

Sam Hasler is still serving his seven-match ban, following back-to-back red cards last month, while under-21 youngster Sam Hallett has returned to former club Lordswood to play more games.

Bay travel to Hastings on Tuesday (7.45pm)