John Embery said Herne Bay's players embarrassed themselves and the club with their first-half performance at home to East Grinstead on Saturday.

Bay, buoyant after a 4-0 derby win over Whitstable the week before, trailed 4-0 inside 24 minutes eventually going down 5-2.

The defeat was their eighth in as many Bostik South East matches at Winch's Field this season and joint boss Embery said he found the lack of desire from his players particularly galling.

He said: "The first 20-odd minutes were unbelievably poor, we were just so lacklustre.

"I think they went into the game expecting to win after the result against Whitstable but they did not apply themselves anywhere near enough and there was no desire.

"We had to make two early substitutions, both after injuries to centre-halves which didn't help but to be fair, Connor Wilkins who came on, was probably our best player, along with goalkeeper Simon Overland.

"We gave them a massive rollicking at half-time, we told them they needed to go out and earn some respect from the fans.

"The first half was simply not good enough. Fans come to watch a game expecting their team to show heart and desire, not roll over and have their tummies tickled.

"They embarrassed us, the fans and themselves and I expect them to show lot more passion, desire and application this weekend."

Hythe, managed by former Bay boss Sam Denly are the visitors on Saturday and Embery is hoping it's the sort of game his players will relish.

The East Grinstead defeat left Bay entrenched at the bottom, eight points adrift of Greenwich Borough and Faversham.

Embery added: "Saturday was a bit of a kick in the teeth for Jermaine (fellow boss Jermaine Darlington) and I and they (the players) know we need a reaction.

"Hythe are a dangerous side, but it's the type of game our players might rise up to.

"We've produced some good performances against the better teams but we need to find consistency.

"Whatever happens the players must work their socks off on Saturday because that's the very least fans expect."

Embery hopes centre-half Ben Gorham could return after a long-term ankle injury.