Herne Bay chairman Matt Barman on 1-1 Isthmian South East draw with Merstham and taking charge with director of football Dan Tanner after Steve Lovell’s sacking

Chairman Matt Barman believes Herne Bay’s players will be content with their performance in the home draw against play-off chasing Merstham on Saturday.

Barman took charge of the team alongside director of football Dan Tanner after the sacking of ex-Gillingham boss Steve Lovell as manager on Monday night. Barman, Tanner and coach Joe Denny had been at the helm together at Lordswood last term before they joined Isthmian South East Bay in the summer.

Winger Josh Reid put the 17th-placed hosts ahead in the 91st minute at Winch’s Field but the seventh-placed Moatsiders hit back through a Lee Lewis free-kick.

“It’s been a tough week,” said Barman.

“We spoke to the boys on Thursday. There has been a bit of soul-searching from everyone because it’s been a horrendous week, really, for myself and the football club.

“But a change has now been made and, obviously, we have asked for applicants. That closes on Monday.

“We’ll then sit down on Monday afternoon, breathe a bit and see what we have got, who we want to bring in for an interview and then start pushing forward with it.

Report: Herne Bay 1-1 Merstham

“We spoke to the boys about today and just said ‘Let’s not get beaten at home.’ We know the surface and we do believe in ourselves. We set up a little bit defensively with just one up top and tried to get runners in and around them.

“At times, it worked really well because the third-man runs looked dangerous and, at other times, we looked a bit isolated. It’s been a tough week.

“You think you’re going to come out of it with a win on 91 minutes and, 95 minutes in, it’s 1-1 - and you’re thinking ‘Oh my God, could this even get worse?’. Someone has just told me that Margate scored in the 92nd and 100th minute [during a 3-2