Hythe boss Scott Porter admits that adjusting to life in Ryman League Division 1 South has been a tough learning curve, not only for the team, but for him too.

Town have endured a baptism of fire following their promotion as Kent League champions, losing three of their first four games at the higher level.

They suffered a cruel 3-2 defeat at the hands of promotion-chasing Bognor Regis on Saturday before a meek 2-0 loss at Ramsgate on Bank Holiday Monday.

Porter (pictured) said: "We are learning as a team, as players and I’m learning as a manager.

"It is different playing in this division. It’s taken more seriously, it’s more competitive, the standard is higher, the only thing that isn’t is the standard of officiating."

Town visit Chessington & Hook United in the FA Cup preliminary round on Saturday and Porter allowed himself to dream about another run to the latter stages of the competition, a year after reaching the first round proper.

He said: "We go into every game wanting to win it, but the FA Cup game gives us a chance to start a winning run, get some confidence and some positive momentum going."

John Walker and Greg Smith will be assessed at training on Thursday, while Porter revealed he has not enjoyed chopping and changing his strikers – including newboy Dryden – during the opening fortnight of the campaign.