Top scorer Mike Salako has hailed Herne Bay team-mate Kane Haysman as the most technically-gifted player at the club.

The striker was at the double in last weekend’s 3-1 home derby win over Ashford to ease their Isthmian South East relegation fears.

That took him to 15 goals for the season, two ahead of ex-Gillingham youngster Haysman.

Salako is relishing the chance to play with the 30-year-old midfielder, who has also represented Margate.

He said: “Kane is an absolutely fantastic player, on and off the pitch.

"Technically, I think he’s the best at the club. I call him ‘The Talisman’.

“We always have a bit of a laugh in the changing room about who’s going to get the next goal.

“Having a good player around like him is definitely good for me.”

Salako struck in each half to put Bay in command at Winch’s Field against Ashford and, while the Nuts & Bolts pulled a goal back through forward Gary Lockyer, midfielder Scott Heard got a game-clinching third.

The match also saw newly-signed local lad midfielder Kyle Atkinson make his Bay bow.

“It was a decent win,” reflected Salako. “It’s been a long time coming.

“We’ve not had the rub of the green in recent games where we’ve had a few decisions go against us, like offsides that weren’t offside.

“So, it was good to get a win against a decent Ashford side.”

For former Folkestone fans’ favourite Heard, it was his fourth goal of this season.

Salako said: “Heardy is absolutely brilliant.

“He never stops running from minute zero to minute 90. God knows how he does it - I think he’s got an additional lung!

"The goals that he comes up with are crucial goals, as well.

“The goal he scored on Saturday was probably the most crucial one after they had pulled it back to 2-1.

"He’s the engine at the club and he does a great job.”

Salako finished with 27 goals last term on Herne Bay’s way to an eighth-placed finish.

While it hasn’t been as plain-sailing for the side this time around, he still appears on course to reach a similar tally.

“With where we were last year, we had a smoother run of games,” said Salako.

“We were creating a lot of chances. This season, it’s been different for reasons that are quite obvious.

“But anything that I cannot control, I just try to put that to one side.”

Herne Bay are temporarily being led by chairman Matt Barman and director of football Dan Tanner after last month’s departure of Steve Lovell as manager and son-assistant Mark.

Salako said: “With Steve and Mark and their team leaving, it was sad to see them leave.

“I’m sure they will be missed by everyone at the club and the supporters, as well, because they did a fantastic job. But with the way football is, it’s a results business.

Two-goal Herne Bay man makes team-of-the-week

“Now, it’s more just about adapting a bit and making sure that we move forward as a team.”

Barman and Tanner have been keen to hand youth-team players chances to shine in the first-team spotlight.

Prospects Fenn Roberts and Jamie Lartice have made recent senior substitute appearances.

“It’s really good to see a club at this level interested in youth and giving youth an opportunity,” Salako said.

“I think more clubs should give them an opportunity. I see what they’re like when we train with them - and none of them, really, look out of place.

“Matt and Dan give them games, which I think is great.

“I’m sure their parents are proud of them.”

Bay, in 17th, will host mid-table Broadbridge Heath on Saturday before Tuesday’s trip to Erith Town.

The weekend visitors are still just about in striking distance of them.

Salako said: “There’s a few clubs in and around us that we’re hoping to take points from.

“We’re very good at home and, with where we get the ball down, I don’t think a lot of clubs like coming up against us.

“Hopefully, we can use that to our advantage.”

Bay’s game against Broadbridge will kick-off at 1.30pm once more, with floodlight issues at Winch’s Field being dealt with.

But Salako joked: “I’m travelling miles so it’s good to have a clear run, going straight through the bridge, rather than doing that at around midday.

“We won with a 1.30pm kick-off on Saturday.

“If we can keep to the 1.30pm kick-offs, and they keep working, that’ll be brilliant!”

Versatile defender Jack Parter has left to join Faversham while young defender Joel Odeniran has returned to parent club Folkestone after a second Herne Bay loan stint of the season.