Herne Bay’s chances of Isthmian Premier survival took another big blow as they were narrowly beaten at home by Haringey on Tuesday night.

After two successive wins for Bay, it was Borough skipper Scott Mitchell who came up with the only goal in the second half and, despite late pressure, Bay couldn't find a way through in their 1-0 defeat.

The visitors had the first opportunity in the 12th minute at Winch’s Field despite a decent start by the hosts. Mitchell prodded wide a free-kick.

But four minutes later, the influential Mitchell became the first player booked after a late foul on home midfielder Connor Dymond in front of a crowd of 381.

Mitchell proved a busy man, particularly in the early stages, being sent into the advertising board on 18 minutes after a seemingly innocent tussle with recalled Herne Bay striker Daniel Ogunleye. The defender needed treatment but was fit to continue.

Ogunleye then raced through, four minutes later, only to send his shot across the face of the visitors' goal.

In the 26th minute, Haringey goalkeeper Josh Strizovic - who was briefly with Bay earlier this season on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge - was adjudged to have fouled Ogunleye, having raced out.

Home players surrounded referee Kane Dempster who issued a caution, rather than a red card. Defender Dan Johnson headed wide from the set-piece.

Bay were having the better opportunities at this stage as wideman Mason Saunders-Henry curled a strike inches wide shortly before the half-hour mark.

Borough left-back Callum Ismail sent a low ball across the face of goal at the other end with 35 minutes played.

But six minutes before the break, Bay threatened again. A long throw caused problems in the penalty box and a Johnson effort drifted wide.

The home team also had a succession of corners in first-half stoppage-time, although the game remained goalless.

Strizovic tipped wide frontman Marcel Barrington’s header on 48 minutes before a Bay corner from midfielder Michael West evaded everyone.

But Rory Smith was replaced in the 50th minute by Jack Parter in their first change.

Surprisingly, the left-back was initially deployed on the right-side of defence, Johnson taking up Parter’s regular position in a new-look back four. That experiment didn’t last long, though, as captain Laurence Harvey went right and Johnson moved inside.

The 57th minute saw home goalkeeper Harry Brooks do well to gather Alfred Bobson-Bawling’s low drive.

Antonio was the first player cautioned for the hosts on the hour.

Midway through the second period, the away side drew first blood with what would prove the game's only goal. Mitchell got back in the thick of things to climb highest and head in an Alphanso Kennedy cross.

Harvey was then down at one end as Brooks mishit a clearance. But the keeper just about got a toe to Kennedy’s 30-yard shot to scramble the ball wide.

Barrington headed wide a West corner with 16 minutes to go, although Harvey wasn’t fit to continue. Troy Williams came on in his place and took the armband too.

Not long after, the last roll of the Herne Bay dice saw Jack Sammoutis replace Antonio.

Matthew Young curled wide for Borough on 83 minutes.

The Kent outfit raced up the other end and almost levelled with their best chance when Parter’s shot from the edge of the area was tipped onto the post by Strizovic.

Aiming to repeat their late weekend heroics, Sammoutis’ 86th-minute strike was blasted straight at the Haringey goalkeeper while 29-year-old Parter missed the target with another effort.

Opportunities kept coming for Herne Bay as Strizovic got down well to thwart Barrington in the second minute of six minutes of injury-time.

There was one final chance from a West corner, only for the ball to be sent over at the back post.

That result leaves Herne Bay five points adrift of safety with seven league matches to play this term.

Bay boss Kevin Watson made two changes to his starting line-up.

Parter, who came off at half-time in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Bognor, dropped to the bench alongside namesake Sammoutis.

They were replaced by Ogunleye and Antonio.

Herne Bay: Brooks, Harvey (Williams 75mins), Antonio (Sammoutis 78mins), Johnson, Dymond, Saunders-Henry, Barrington, Smith (Parter 50mins), O’Mara, Ogunleye, West. Subs not used: Saunders, Anderson.

Haringey Borough: Strizovic, Georgiou, Ismail, Dupray, Mitchell, Durojaiye, Bobson-Bawling, Young (Bridgeman 88mins), Allen (Desa 74mins), Owusu, Kennedy. Subs not used: Leacock-McLeod, Phillippou, Ovenden.

Referee: Kane Dempster.

Attendance: 381.