Herne Bay manager Sam Denly is playing it cool despite registering a win which he claims was the best away from home during his 18-month tenure.

Saturday’s 4-3 success at Guernsey – which featured a hat-trick from striker Stuart King – was Bay’s first on the road in the league this season and took them to within four points of the top-six in Ryman League, Division 1 South, although Denly sounded a note of caution.

Victory against seventh-placed Sittingbourne at Winch’s Field on Saturday could even haul 11th-placed Bay within three points of the play-offs but Denly said: “I won’t get carried away.

“It is an open league at the moment and I still see us as a mid-table side. Things are going well but there is a long way to go.We are looking to build something here going forward.”

“Guernsey was probably our best away performance since I’ve been at the club.

“People talk about us not having won away in the league before but it has not been a major issue for us. I’ve not been worried at all.

“It was a big game and a long day. I was slightly worried before that we might not make a strong start but I needn’t have worried because we did ever so well and the boys worked hard. It was a great result.”

Ben Brown returns from suspension for the visit of the Brickies (3pm) and Denly added: “I think we are nearing full-fitness. It gives me a headache but I’m not going to complain.”