Herne Bay 1 Merstham 1 match report: Josh Reid scores injury-time goal for managerless Bay but side are denied first Isthmian South East victory since Steve Lovell’s departure as manager

Both goals came in injury time as managerless Herne Bay drew against play-off chasing Merstham on Saturday.

Young winger Josh Reid thought he had won Bay’s first Isthmian South East game since the departure of ex-Gillingham boss Steve Lovell when he struck in the 91st minute.

But even later on, a Lee Lewis free-kick found the net for the Moatsiders as it ended 1-1 and Bay were denied a first clean sheet since November 30 - despite a much-improved performance.

The seventh-placed Moatsiders had created the first chance when captain Matt Drage flicked wide Lewis’ free-kick inside two minutes in front of a crowd of 467 at Winch’s Field.

Herne Bay midfielder Ethan Smith then headed a Monty Saunders left-wing delivery against team-mate Reid on 17 minutes before home keeper Josh Bexon was tested by forward Korrey Henry - formerly of Margate and Welling United.

Four minutes later, Bay defender Joel Odeniran appeared to control with his hand inside the area, only for the away penalty protests to be waved away by referee David Rowland in a largely uneventful start.

Reid was denied by the visitors’ debutant keeper James Shaw in the 34th minute after midfielder Scott Heard’s attempted pass had been slightly overhit and tightened the angle for Reid.

Bay striker Mike Salako found the bottom corner nicely on the turn, soon after, but he was ruled to have been offside after a low cross from Smith on a bitterly cold afternoon.

Away goalkeeper Shaw was forced to get down low after less than 40 second-half seconds to thwart Reid.

Both teams made switches early in the second period, Charlie Greenwood coming on for the Moatsiders and joint-top scorer Kane Haysman entering the fray for Herne Bay.

With 20 minutes to play, an excellent delivery