Substitute Stuart King's stoppage-time equaliser claimed Herne Bay a late home point against South Park and extend their unbeaten Ryman League Division 1 South run to eight games.

The prolific striker, who says he has now retired, but wants to help Bay when needed, came off the bench to replace Connor Partridge with twenty minutes left at Winch's Field on Wednesday night. and the change worked a treat as King, booked earlier, grabbed the late equaliser.

Bay went behind three minutes after the break, when Ben Senior put the Surrey side in front.

The result was another boost for boss Sam Denly who has been heartened by Bay's form in a difficult time for the club, but admitted he was sorry to see Connor Sanders leave.this week to join play-off contenders Carshalton Athletic.

The 24-year-old defender is Denly’s brother-in-law and the pair were involved in long discussions about his move to play-off contenders Carshalton Athletic, before deciding the offer was too good to turn down.

It was the second time Carshalton had come calling, having made an approach for him this time last season.

Denly saw off their interest then but the club’s present financial situation left him unable to compete.

He said: “It highlights my frustration about the club’s position and the constraints.

“They put seven days in for him a couple of weeks ago. We talked at length about it and he didn’t want to leave, but it's a great opportunity.

“When they came in last season, they offered him another good deal then but I was able to move things around money-wise then, and he stayed.”

Sanders follows Danny Walder, Taser Hassan and Kane Phllip out of the club and is set for a swift reunion with his former team-mates as the clubs meet at Colston Avenue on Saturday week.

Ian Pulman grabbed both goals in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Horsham, making it four in two games for the returning striker, who also left due to budget cuts, only to return a couple of weeks later.

Denly said: “Ian has shown great loyalty to me and the club.

“He could have gone elsewhere for money but is now getting what everybody else is."

Meanwhile, Darnell Weise, who made his first start at Horsham on Saturday, emerged unscathed from a serious car crash the following day.

Denly said: “He messaged me to say he was all right but I have seen the pictures and they were scary.”

Bay, stay 17th, and entertain Molesey, two places below them on Saturday (3pm).

Bay scored twice inside the final 10 minutes to draw 3-3 at Walton Road in December.