Hythe took extra satisfaction from beating Isthmian South East promotion hopefuls Whitehawk - the first of two wins in four days.

Captain Liam Smith’s second-half goal earned a 1-0 victory over the Hawks at Reachfields on Saturday.

That was followed by a 3-1 success at Three Bridges on Tuesday night as the Cannons climbed to 11th place.

Manager Steve Watt revealed his players were fired up by Whitehawk's excessive celebrations following their 2-0 win over the Cannons last November.

“It was nice to beat a team we felt disrespected us a bit at their place,” said Watt.

“They were celebrating after the game as though they'd won the league and banging on our changing-room door, so it was nice to get one over on them.

“It gave the boys a little bit of extra motivation.

“A lot of the boys were annoyed with what happened down there and they hadn’t forgotten about it.

“It was mentioned by the players at training on Thursday and again in the changing room before the game.

“I wouldn’t have anyone in my squad who acted in that manner - they’d be released there and then.

“There’s a way to conduct yourselves and it backfired a bit on them on Saturday.”

Goals from Jarred Trespaderne, top scorer Johan Caney-Bryan and Shad Ngandu secured back-to-back victories as Hythe won at Three Bridges.

Win their two games in hand and they will only be a couple of points off the play-offs.

That would be no mean feat on one of the lowest budgets in the league.

"I've always wanted to be in and around the play-offs and I feel we're capable of that," said Watt.

"If we win our games in hand we'll be level on points with Ashford.

"We'll know in the next three weeks where we are.

"People forget we had to start from scratch this year - Liam Smith was the only player left.

"It takes time to build a team and get used to playing with each other, which all adds to the inconsistency we've had.

"But we're getting stronger and I feel this is an exciting squad for the future.

"I've never been one to look down a league. I'm looking up and if we put a run of three or four wins together it could transform our season."

Hythe are at Lancing this Saturday (3pm) and host Corinthian in a rearranged game on Tuesday (7.45pm).

“The games are coming thick and fast,” said Watt.

“I think we play Saturday-Tuesday till March.

“It will test us as a squad, because we haven’t got that depth. It will be a case of managing as best we can and trying to rotate when we think we need to."