There will be no holding back for relegation-threatened Herne Bay over a potentially defining few days in their inaugural Isthmian Premier season.

Bay, who drew 3-3 at Hastings last weekend, are now four points adrift of safety heading into their last four games.

Victories are essential for Kevin Watson’s third-bottom side if they are to survive, ahead of Good Friday’s trip to Lewes and their home encounter with Cray Wanderers on Easter Monday.

“They’re big games,” said Watson.

“But these teams are similar to Hastings in the sense they’re trying to get in the play-offs.

“They will feel they need to beat us in order to achieve their objectives for the season.

“One thing is for sure - I don’t think anybody will be holding back! That sets the stage for some exciting, free-flowing football.

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"It should be good.

“Both games should get decent crowds, Lewes particularly because that’s being played on the Friday.

“Then on Monday, hopefully, we will have a fair few down at home.”

The Hastings game came days after Stuart Fitchie had stood down as the club's chairman.

Watson, who felt the contest was a great advert for Step 3 football, said: “I think the boys have handled everything extremely well, to be honest.

“You assume news like that can be a distraction but, ultimately, it doesn’t have to impact performances on the pitch.”

Captain Laurence Harvey will miss the rest of the season with a broken cheekbone while attacker Rory Smith may also not return for the run-in.

But Hastings defender Finn O’Mara is expected to be back after he missed the clash at The Pilot Field due to the terms of his loan agreement.

“Laurence Harvey is now out for the season and Rory Smith has picked up an injury,” said Watson, who was forced to bring off two-goal Jerson Dos Santos with a knock at Hastings, too.

“He’s hurt his hamstring so I’m not sure he will feature in the run-in.

“Finn should be back in contention. The only reason he missed the [Hastings] game was because of the loan agreement.

“We have got a couple unavailable but that’s what we have the squad for.”

Experienced frontman Dos Santos has made a significant impact since his arrival. Strike partner Marcel Barrington got Bay’s other goal in front of a big crowd of 873 at Hastings.

On Dos Santos, he noted: “He had to come off against Enfield and he had to come off against Hastings. He’s carrying a bit of a knock.

“But he got the goals before he came off, which was pleasing.

“He wanted to come here. When you have a player who wants to work with you, their intentions are quite pure and positive.

"He’s certainly added value on the pitch.”

Watson has kept in close contact with directors at Bay since the departure of Fitchie.

“I think it’s important for me in my role to have an understanding,” he explained.

“There’s a couple of directors and other people at the club I’m having contact with.

“Once we have an understanding of the direction of travel, they have assured me that will be communicated.

"But until then, we’ll just carry on as we are.”

Herne Bay struggled to adjust to life at a higher level in the early stages of the season but thrashed Lewes 4-1 at Winch’s Field in mid-October under then-boss Ben Smith.

Watson said: “Having the Lewes game on Friday is a sensible decision.

“That gives both teams a little bit more rest before Monday. We know what to expect in terms of the way they set up and their style of play.

“Having said that - just because we don’t expect any surprises - that doesn’t mean it’s easy to cope with and counter.”

Bay lost 3-0 at Cray Wanderers in January, although two late goals added some gloss to that scoreline.

Head of media operations and recently-appointed club secretary Ed Painter says his deal with the club will be terminated after their game against Neil Smith’s side.