Manager Steve Lovell predicts weekend visitors Lancing will provide Herne Bay with a stern test.

Bay have made a strong start to their Isthmian South East campaign and are in the play-offs - but have picked up just one point from their last two fixtures.

Without several key players due to injury, they suffered a 2-0 derby defeat at Sittingbourne on Tuesday, having drawn 1-1 at Broadbridge Heath last weekend as defender Harrison Pont cancelled out an early opener.

Lancing have six points from five games ahead of their trip to Winch’s Field this Saturday.

Lovell recalls facing them while with Ramsgate last term and, although the hosts won 2-1 at Southwood, they were given a run for their money.

“They’re a good side,” he said.

“I remember them from last year when I was at Ramsgate. We beat them 2-1 at home - but I remember them being a very good footballing side. It will be a tough game.

“If you look at the results from Tuesday, anyone can beat anyone in this division.

“It’s all about what happens on the day and how we can prepare for it because they can be a very good team.

“The main thing is keeping in the top-half of the table until the last 10 or 15 games of the season and then having a go.

“We just need to keep improving and see where it takes us.”

A mistake from Bay keeper Harry Brooks proved to be costly on his Woodstock return as they went down to Sittingbourne.

Lovell reflected: “I made four changes from the weekend because of injuries.

“We went into the game with a gameplan and I thought we did quite well. We had a lot of possession and, not necessarily shots on goal, but lots of free-kicks and corners that put their keeper under pressure.

“It was a tight game, it always is when you play Sittingbourne at their place.

“Then, a couple of mistakes cost us. Harry will be the first to admit it, he makes the call to come for a cross he shouldn’t have, really, and their striker [Chris Harris] managed to put it into the net.

“That was disappointing because he hadn’t had a save to make before then.

“The thing is, for keepers, it’s really hard. Outfield players can make hundreds of mistakes but, if you make a mistake as a goalkeeper, you get punished. I was gutted for him and he was gutted.

“We had opportunities to get back into the game and just didn’t have that final bit of quality in front of goal.”

Among those to miss the Sittingbourne game through injuries were forwards Gil Carvalho, Kane Rowland and Theo Osinfolarin, as well as midfielders Danny Walder and Archie Burnett.

Sam Wright, who can play in midfield and up front, started for Bay in midweek - but sustained a knock himself and came off on the hour mark.

Lovell explained: “He was at Gillingham as a youngster. He’s played for Hollands & Blair’s first team. He’s only young.

“He injured his shoulder on Tuesday but him and Frankie Smith - two young boys either side of Mike [Michael Salako] - did very well.”

Going the other way, defender Harry Brown has re-joined Southern Counties East Premier Division Hollands & Blair on dual registration.

Lovell said: “Frankie was keeping him out the side and it works for Harry to go and have a few games because he had been out injured.

“Hopefully, he will get some games and do well there.”

Herne Bay are at home to Isthmian Premier Folkestone in the the Velocity Cup Third Round on Tuesday.

Lovell said: “Hopefully, we can pick a strong team against Folkestone.

“But we will see where we’re at on Saturday night.”