Sam Denly admits his first month as manager of Hythe Town could barely have gone better.

Denly’s side have taken 12 of a possible 15 points since he succeeded Clive Cook, scoring 15 goals in the process.

They’re now just one place outside the Bostik South play-offs after winning 3-2 at Hastings on Saturday.

Denly said: “The lads have been excellent. There was a little bit of unrest at first and you want the dust to settle as quickly as possible when you come into a new club.

“It was all new to me. I’ve never been in that situation before so it was a learning experience and you have to go with it and hope things calm down. They have and the lads who have stayed have been outstanding.

“To win four out of five, I couldn’t have asked for any more than that. The one we did lose was Carshalton away and that was arguably the best performance they’ve given me.

“One thing I and the management team will bring is work-rate and make sure they’re playing for me, the club and themselves. Their ability isn’t in question but what I have asked from day one is that they work hard and if they do that, combined with the quality they’ve got, we’ll win games of football, which we are doing.”

Sixth-placed Greenwich lost to leaders Lewes on Saturday so the Cannons closed to within five points although they have played a game more.

Denly said: “Greenwich slipped up again and everyone else won but we’re trying not to worry about that too much.

“We’ve got to go on a run if we want to get anywhere near it and if we can continue this kind of form towards the end of the season, I’m sure we won’t be far away.”

Hythe, who have signed former Folkestone and Sittingbourne defender Salvyn Kisitu, are at home to Horsham on Saturday.

Read the full story in the Folkestone & Hythe Express.