Hythe Town manager Nick Davis has high hopes for his latest signing.

Striker Vance Bola has joined the Cannons from fellow Isthmian South East club Ramsgate.

He impressed in difficult circumstances on his debut at AFC Croydon on Saturday as Hythe played almost the entire match with 10 men.

They lost 3-1, having taken the lead, but Bola’s performance was a plus for boss Davis.

He said: “Vance came in and made a big difference.

“He held the ball up well, he was a threat and a real handful.

“I noticed a massive difference when the ball went up in and around him.

“He linked well with Riley Court and that was how our goal came about.

“It will be nice to see him when we’ve got 11 men on the pitch.”

Bola should be a safe bet for goals having enjoyed good spells at the likes of Sittingbourne, Margate and Ashford.

He joined Ramsgate in the summer but was behind prolific striker Joe Taylor in the pecking order.

“He wasn’t playing regularly there, so he had a decision to make,” added Davis.

“He’s 30 now, I think, he wants to play football and we can give him that here.

“He’s scored goals higher up, so hopefully he does well for us.”

Hythe put in a big shift following Theo McKenzie’s early dismissal at AFC Croydon.

He was sent off for a challenge on the halfway line after the hosts broke from a Hythe corner.

The defender wasn’t the last man but still saw red.

Bola and Court combined as the visitors won a penalty, converted by Anthony Adesite, for a half-time lead.

Croydon levelled early in the second half, went 2-1 up with 10 minutes left and added an injury-time third.

“We played really well,” said Davis. “The sending-off after eight minutes didn’t help.

“I thought it was harsh, their management said the same, but it was given so you have to deal with it.

“We got ourselves in front, should have scored again, and we defended really well.

“Our shape was great but we got to an hour and started to run out of legs.

“We made some changes, which we had to, but I can’t fault the players. They put a proper shift in.

“We said at half-time if we can get through this, we can get through anything.

“It was always going to be a big ask, because they’re a good side, but it was pleasing to see the way we dug in.”

Hythe host Eastbourne Town at Reachfields this Saturday (3pm).

Davis said: “We’ve got to start picking up some points now. We try to win every game but that’s certainly one we’re targeting to get three points.”