Scott Porter has been handed a four-game touchline ban after admitting an FA misconduct charge.

The sanction follows the Hythe boss being dismissed from the dug-out for comments to referee Nick Dunn during the 1-1 draw at Maidstone early last month, and begins on December 8.

Porter (pictured) has overseen the club’s rapid climb from bottom to joint-top since that night at the Gallagher Stadium, which was completed by the 4-3 win at Worthing on Saturday.

Four first-half goals in the space of 26 minutes – two by skipper Dave Cook – did the damage but Porter had reservations about his team’s defending.

He admitted: "It was definitely one for the neutrals. We were terrible in the first 10 minutes, and for all three goals, with people not doing their jobs."

Now they are top, Porter maintains they are there to be shot at by all their rivals.

He said: "We have to concentrate and keep our feet on the ground. We have worked very hard to get where we are. You pick up a lot of momentum with the sort of run we have had, but our away form has been better than at home."

Hythe are at home to Ramsgate on Saturday but will be without defender Craig Cloke who serves a one-match ban after collecting five bookings.