James Rogers has challenged his Hythe players to close in on safety in their next two games.

The Cannons moved seven points clear of the Isthmian South East bottom two after winning 2-0 at Whitstable on Saturday.

It was a result that cost Town boss Keith McMahon his job, with the Oystermen eight points from safety. He was replaced later the same day by former Ipswich midfielder Andy Drury.

Hythe visit second-bottom Phoenix this Saturday and host fellow battlers Lancing a week later.

Maximum points in those two games would leave them well clear of the automatic relegation places and nicely placed to avoid the lingering threat of a relegation play-off for finishing third-bottom.

They have a three-point cushion over Sevenoaks, the side currently in the play-off spot, with six games to go.

“These next two games are really important,” said player-boss Rogers.

“If we can pick up two wins that takes us to 39 points and we’d be unlucky to go down with that.

“It wouldn’t be a case of taking our foot off the gas, because there’s still a lot of points to play for and you have to keep an eye on everyone below you, but two wins would pull us away from Phoenix and Lancing that bit more.

“Five of our last six games are against teams who are in and around us, so we’ve got an opportunity to pull away as long as we keep grinding out results like we did on Saturday.”

It certainly wasn’t pretty at the Belmont as Hythe ended a run of three defeats but second-half goals from George Crimmen and Jordan Sarfo got the job done.

“It wasn’t a good performance, there was no quality in the game,” said Rogers.

“The pitch was difficult, it must have been a tough watch for the fans but we kept a clean sheet and got a 2-0 win in a six-pointer.

“I felt for Keith because they caused us problems at times, without creating lots, and they’ve got the base of a good side. He’s a nice bloke and I said to him in the bar after the game they didn’t deserve to lose.”

Crimmen’s second-half header from a corner was a feather in the cap for Rogers, who was delighted to see substitute Sarfo rediscover his scoring touch.

“I’d just had a moan-up at our players for not attacking the back stick at the corner and then, five minutes later, Crimmo goes round the back stick and heads one over the keeper,” said Rogers.

“He’s a great lad, he’s our captain now Charlie Webster is out and his experience at this level is key for us, especially with the games we have coming up.

“It was good to see Jordan score, too. He’s got a lot going on with uni stuff, which is taking up a lot of his time.

“At the moment he’s not training on Thursdays, which affects team selection, but it’s important for us to have him.

“He brings something no-one else has got, which is pure pace. You put the ball in behind and he’s on it.

“It gives us a great outlet being able to bring someone like him on but also credit to Riley Alford, who also came on, and had the initial shot that was cleared off the line before Jordan put it in.”