Herne Bay face three crucial matches in the next week as they bid to kick-start their Ryman League, Division 1 South season.

Knocked out of the FA Trophy after a 3-0 first qualifying round replay defeat at Harrow Borough on Tuesday, the Winch’s Field club begin an important eight days with a trip to bottom side Three Bridges on Saturday.

Bay, who are just two off the bottom, host Sittingbourne on Tuesday, before travelling to West Sussex to face East Grinstead, beaten 7-2 at home by Whyteleafe this week.

Bay No.2 Gavin Theze said: “We beat Chipstead the other week and want to start another run but having lost at Godalming (who were bottom at the time), we can take nothing for granted.”

London’s rush hour traffic, a contentious opening goal and Joe Nelder’s ankle injury all conspired to make it a disappointing night against Ryman League, Premier Division Harrow, on FA Cup duty at League 1 side Northampton on Saturday.

Coach Steve Nolan took charge with Lee Browning as Theze and boss Sam Denly were both unavailable.

He said: “The players were delayed getting to the ground and some didn’t arrive until 10 minutes before the scheduled start, meaning the kick-off was put back until 8pm.

“We started well in the first 20 minutes but Harrow then scored a hotly-disputed first goal, with our boys saying it was handball. I spoke to the referee and he said if there was one, he didn’t see it.

“We did well again at the start of the second half but unfortunately they scored a second on the break and the game was over. Harrow looked a lot sharper on a good surface and played at a higher tempo than they did on Saturday.”

Midfielder Nelder looks certain to be ruled out at the weekend. Nolan added: “Joe was injured just as he shaped to make a tackle and the ankle swelled up quickly.”

Bay have cancelled training on Thursday in the hope a few niggles will ease by the weekend.

Danny Walder and Gary Sayer were both struggling with tight hamstrings while Mark Lovell was nursing a calf problem. Defenders Connor Sanders and Liam Quinn – the latter free following a one-match ban – are available to face Three Bridges.