New manager James Collins started life at Herne Bay with a disappointing home defeat to Phoenix Sports on Saturday.

Phoenix defender Jake Goodman gave them a half-time Isthmian South East advantage and, although Bay’s top scorer Mike Salako equalised, a second for Goodman ensured it finished 2-1 to fellow strugglers Sports.

It was a result and performance which left Bay boss Collins with more questions than answers about his new charges.

Home captain Liam Friend created the first chance from their latest early kick-off at Winch’s Field in the fifth minute, only to fail to send a back-post header from a corner towards goal in front of a 386-strong crowd.

Nine minutes later, Bay were adamant the ball had been ran out of play and, while those appeals fell on death ears, Phoenix striker Richard Pingling skied his shot.

Away keeper Sam Freeman - briefly with Herne Bay earlier this season - then tipped over newly-signed Jordy Ndozid’s deflected effort on 26 minutes.

Soon after at the other end, winger Jamarie Brissett failed to hit the target from long range.

The visitors almost went ahead as centre-back Friend cleared off the line after Ahkeem Belford, who had dinked over goalkeeper Harley Earle, had got the better of Theo Osinfolarin, with the match bursting to life.

But skipper Goodman powerfully headed past Earle from the resultant corner to put Phoenix in front.

Bay right-back Osinfolarin again found himself in trouble, only for referee William Donnelly to dismiss penalty appeals.

It almost got worse for Collins’ team in the 36th minute when midfielder Dan Carrington got caught in possession, but Earle saved well to thwart Perri Iandolo in a largely forgettable first 45 minutes at the helm for Collins.

As the hosts continued to find their feet in the match, Fenn Roberts was replaced by Folarin Awoleke at left-back.

Phoenix had the opportunity to double their tally when the hapless Osinfolarin was adjudged to have fouled Belford. But forward Pingling cracked the spot-kick against the crossbar.

Midway through the half, a Herne Bay goal, which hadn’t looked like it was going to come, did arrive out of nothing.

Salako netted on the rebound for his 16th goal this season, Freeman having saved the initial effort from substitute Skye Salmon.

Soon after, Darren Anslow’s troops were unable to convert a dangerous right-wing cross.

Phoenix did restore their advantage with 19 minutes left, however, as 31-year-old Goodman nodded past Earle from Henry Griffin’s corner for his second.

Looking for another leveller, Josh Reid failed to hit the target with an 81st-minute strike from a corner form Osinfolarin, now playing in a more natural position on the wing.

Pingling then went close to a game-clinching third as his effort was deflected wide.

But Phoenix had done enough to earn a deserved victory to move within nine points of Herne Bay, who still have work to do in their survival bid.

Former Chatham, Cray Valley, Bowers & Pitsea and Faversham man Collins, joined in the dugout by director of football Dan Tanner and coach Joe Denny, handed a Bay bow to his first recruit of his time in charge, midfielder Ndozid. Youth-team defender Roberts also kept his place in the side.

Herne Bay will be at Beckenham, massive 9-0 weekend winners against Lancing, on Tuesday.

Herne Bay: Earle, Osinfolarin, Roberts (Awoleke 58mins), Carrington (Salmon 65mins), Friend, Christie, Reid, Smith, Salako, Haysman, Ndozid. Subs not used: Hill, Kuchkov, Bowman.

Phoenix Sports: Freeman, Belford, Grieveson, Goodman, Morgan-Griffiths, Brissett (Efambe 63mins), Anderson, Pingling (Elliott 90mins), Griffin, Pritchard, Iandolo. Subs not used: Clarke, Martin, Quintyne.

Referee: William Donnelly.

Attendance: 386.