Herne Bay manager Ben Smith hopes striker Aaron Millbank's dramatic winner against Chichester City can kick-start his career at Winch's Field

Boss Ben Smith hopes Aaron Millbank’s dramatic winner against Chichester which put Herne Bay back into the play-off places will help kick-start his career at the club.

The striker has struggled to find his best form since moving to Winch’s Field from Whitstable in September.

He has not started any of Bay’s last five matches and had only netted three times before making his mark last Saturday against Chichester.

Millbank came off the bench to score in stoppage time after Smith’s side had dominated, registering 13 efforts on target to Chichester’s three attempts on goal.

“I’m delighted for Aaron Millbank. I don’t care who scores, really, but he has had a hard time,” said Smith, whose side will visit Sittingbourne on Friday (kick-off 1pm) before hosting Hythe on Easter Monday (kick-off 3pm) in Isthmian South East.

“Sometimes, it doesn’t always click but it’s not for a want of effort - and it doesn’t mean Aaron has become a bad player overnight.

“He’s found himself out of the side due to a slight change in system. It’s been harsh on Aaron.

“He could have gone before the end of the transfer window, without a doubt. But he has stuck by us.

“Just because it has not worked out so far doesn’t mean it won’t work out long-term. To be fair, he will say himself that he has not even looked like scoring recently.

“Hopefully that goal will kick him on. I still maintain we have a great striker in our ranks there to add to what we have got. People need moments and, hopefully, that’s a moment that gets him going.”

Bay’s boss wants his other fringe players to follow Millbank’s lead.

“There’s a few players that are not getting the game time they deserve,” said Smith. “It’s a difficult one because I know they are good enough to play.

“You