Herne Bay player-boss Liam Friend remaining level-headed during their three-match losing run ahead of this weekend’s derby at Faversham Town

Player-manager Liam Friend is remaining level-headed despite Herne Bay’s three-match losing streak.

Their hopes of finishing in the Isthmian South East play-off places look all but over after a 4-0 home defeat to second-placed AFC Croydon Athletic last weekend.

That loss came four days after a 4-1 derby defeat at in-form Deal. Bay were also edged out 2-0 at leaders Three Bridges this month.

“We have played first and second on successive Saturdays and we have got Faversham, who are also up there, this weekend, so it was always going to be hard,” said Friend.

“But you have got to play everyone home and away. It can come down to fine margins.

“Last Tuesday night against Deal, it was probably our best first half of the season. I was relatively happy with that but we lost 4-1 by the end and I wasn’t so happy about that.

“We’re already two points behind last season’s total and it’s important we move past that total as quickly as possible, and we go from there.

"When we win, we’re not Brazil and, when we lose, we’re not the worst team ever so it’s important we stay level-headed.

“We shouldn’t be too despondent just because we have lost a couple of games.”

Herne Bay found themselves 2-0 behind inside the first 20 minutes at Winch’s Field against Danny Kedwell’s Croydon. Although Friend felt the hosts improved, a superb free-kick by on-loan Folkestone midfielder Jack Jebb sealed the points for the visitors midway through the second period.

Another debutant, teenage Chatham striker Stanley Oldfield, then came off the substitutes’ bench to convert Croydon’s fourth.

Defender Friend reflected: “Croydon started very well.

“They started the game with pace and had a plan to go down our right-hand side, and they executed it well. They