Herne Bay boss Ben Smith says back-to-back wins show his players are made of sterner stuff

Ben Smith believes Herne Bay have answered questions about their character following back-to-back wins.

Bay are back in the Isthmian South East play-off places, climbing to fourth, after Laurence Harvey’s last-minute winner at Chichester on Tuesday.

Their 1-0 victory followed Saturday’s 4-0 thrashing of East Grinstead as Zak Ansah’s double and goals from Adem Ramadan and Dan Carrington earned a big home win.

Bay had lost their previous two matches but have shown what they’re made of, particularly with Harvey’s last-gasp strike.

“I can’t ever remember getting a 90th-minute winner,” said manager Smith.

“We had a fantastic chance three minutes before that and didn’t take it when Jack Parter is three yards out and somehow gets his feet muddled.

“You think the chance has gone but to go and bundle one over the line at the end like that showed our character, something we’ve questioned the boys on over the last month.

“Hopefully they’ve taken it personally. I know I have.

“I’ve said to the boys you don’t become a bad side overnight but suddenly we lose a couple of games in a row and we’re deemed not good enough, so it’s a good response to that.”

Herne Bay are looking to complete the double over sixth-placed Haywards Heath when the sides meet at Winch’s Field this Saturday.

That’s followed by a Kent derby at Faversham on Tuesday night, with Smith the latest manager to criticise the Lilywhites’ pitch.

Win those games and Bay will at least give title favourites Hastings something to think about.

“We’ve got two tough games coming up,” said Smith.

“We haven’t fared too well against the top sides but we have a good record against Haywards Heath, and I’m confident we can carry that on.

“We’ve got Faversham away on Tuesday and I’m not