Herne Bay boss Steve Lovell still sees room for improvement ahead of Isthmian South East derby at Hythe Town

Steve Lovell still sees room for improvement in high-flying Herne Bay’s squad.

Bay are second in Isthmian South East, albeit they and leaders Three Bridges are two of only three teams to have played as many as 10 league fixtures this season.

Both goalkeepers - Herne Bay’s Harry Brooks and ex-Bay man Jordan Perrin - impressed as Lovell’s side were held to a goalless draw at home to Erith & Belvedere last Saturday.

Bay manager Lovell said: “If someone had said at the start of the season that, at the beginning of November, you will be second, we would have taken that, considering it’s a new group of boys.

“There’s a long way to go. It was only a point on Saturday - a point is better than nothing. It could be that point which gets us into the play-offs or to the title, come the end of the season.

“We have got a busy couple of months. We’re playing teams in and around the top.

“We’re getting there. I’m still not 100 per cent happy with where we are as a team, but we’re beginning to get there.”

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There was plenty to entertain the 401-strong crowd at Winch’s Field despite a lack of goals.

“It was a good game,” reflected Lovell. “Both goalkeepers played really well. There were lots of chances.

“First half, we had much the better of it and could have made more of our set-plays. We put so many corners and free-kicks into the box. I think we had 10 corners, which is a lot.

“If we had got a goal early on, I think we would have gone on to win comfortably. But, when you don’t score, it gives the other team motivation to keep that clean sheet.

“They had a couple of chances and our keeper, Harry, made some good saves.”

Indeed, free-flowing Herne Bay’s shut-out was just their third of the campaign and