Hythe Town have been told to raise their game if they want to challenge for promotion this season.

Defeat to local rivals Ashford on the opening day has left Cannons boss Sam Denly with plenty to ponder.

Hythe are among the title favourites in Bostik South East but were far from their best in the derby at Homelands.

"There's a lot more to come," Denly said. "It's been an indifferent pre-season, we had a few great performances and a few OK ones.

"We wanted to start the season with a win but there were still some good things we did on Saturday in spells, certainly in the second half.

"However, if we want to be up there towards the business end of the season, we're going to have to play a lot better than that and hopefully we will do starting this weekend."

Hythe welcome East Grinstead to Reachfields on Saturday in what will be their first home game of the season.

The Wasps finished third-bottom last season, conceding 128 goals, but won't be such a soft touch this time around.

Manager Matt Longhurst has been busy strengthening his squad over the summer and Denly knows what to expect.

"I think they'll be a good side," he said. "They've made some good signings, my ex-skipper Ryan Johnson is down there as well as Sid Sollis and a few others.

"Matt's built a good side down there and they had a fantastic pre-season, winning nearly every game.

"They lost on Saturday (3-1 at home to Phoenix) so they'll be looking to kickstart their season as well.

"It's two teams who want to achieve good things this year and both looking to get their first points on the board so it probably makes for a good game."

Ryan Palmer and Junior Aikhionbare are both suspended but new signing Nigel Neita is set to make his home debut.

Hythe are back in action on Tuesday night when they host Margate in the first round of the Kent Senior Cup.