Manager Kevin Watson has been forced to bring in new faces to boost his Herne Bay squad.

The Bay boss has always been reluctant to make wholesale changes since taking over at Winch’s Field in November but injuries and illness are forcing his hand.

Former Brentwood forward Daniel Ogunleye started for Bay on his debut in a 5-1 Isthmian Premier defeat at Hornchurch last Saturday while utility player Donnell Anderson also came off the bench.

Watson explained: “We’ve been in the unfortunate situation of just having lots missing through injury and illness. So we knew we had to bolster the squad.

“Young Daniel is someone [assistant] Adam Flanagan had worked with previously at Brentwood so he knew him.

"He brings us a slightly different dimension going forward and, actually, he had a very good game.

“He was one of the players I felt came out of the game with credit.

“Donnell Anderson is somebody who was recommended to us and he’s been training with us.

“He’s signed forms, got involved and got the opportunity to come on the pitch. It’s hard to make too many judgements when the scoreline and the game were going the way it was.

“Everybody assumes the answer is to sign more players and different players.

"We’ve kind of been reluctant to do it for a period of time but it’s almost become a necessity.”

Ogunleye started again on Wednesday as Bay drew 1-1 away to Kingstonian. Anderson was an unused substitute, with midfielder Hamilton Antonio also since having rejoined the club.

Midfielder Michael West had been struggling with illness prior to the midweek clash, where he returned to play the full 90 minutes, while left-back Jack Parter is now back in the fold after a lengthy lay-off of his own.

Defender Finn O’Mara’s loan from Hastings has been extended for another month.

“Above all else in terms of his ability as a player, he’s a great lad,” said Watson.

“I’ve worked with him before so I knew, when we were bringing him in, we were bringing in a good character.”

Bay remain in the relegation zone but have games in hand on most of the teams around them.

They host second-placed Aveley this Saturday before Tuesday’s trip to frontrunners Bishop’s Stortford.

Bay only presently have two free midweeks before April.

“I think people look at it, on the face of it, and they see we have played a few less games than the teams in and around us, which is all very well,” said Watson, speaking ahead of the Kingstonian clash.

“But you need to capitalise on that.

"When you are playing teams like Kingstonian that are close to us, then there’s an opportunity to gain some ground on them at least.

“We have got tough games coming up. We then have Aveley on Saturday and Bishop’s Stortford so some top teams.

"But we’re not thinking too far ahead.”

Marcel Barrington’s first-half penalty proved Bay’s only consolation in the Hornchurch defeat - and Watson had few complaints with the result.

He reflected: “Certain games that we’ve not got the desired result from since we’ve been there, I think we’ve felt a little bit aggrieved. But I don’t think we can with that one.

“If there’s such a thing as a comprehensive loss, that was probably it. They’re placed where they are in the league for a reason.

“That’s not luck over the number of games that’s been played, is it? They’re a good team, well organised, strong, very experienced and they scored important goals at the right time.

“At 2-0 down, we came back and got a penalty. But then they scored before half-time and you just leave yourself a mountain to climb.”

Striker Barrington was on target once more against Kingstonian, cancelling out the home team's opener.