Strong words had the desired effect when Hythe bounced back from their FA Cup misery with a deserved away win.

Hythe boss Scott Porter was furious after his side crashed out of the cup to Three Bridges and rang the changes for Saturday’s league game at Merstham.

The visitors duly won the Ryman League, Division 1 South clash 2-0 and Porter was pleased with his players’ reaction.

He said: “We addressed a lot of stuff in the week after what happened against Three Bridges. What went on, it stays in the changing room but a lot went on.

“I needed a reaction. I dropped players who didn’t expect to get dropped and it worked.

“I asked my big players to come to the table, I spoke to them before the game on Saturday and they did come to the table.

“Winning one game doesn’t mean we’ve cracked it and I put that to the boys. We’ve got to repeat those fitness levels and that energy every week.”