Two second half goals from Zac Ansah gained Herne Bay three vital points in the Play Off chase whilst inflicting more misery on Sittingbourne as the home sides season threatens to implode completely.

Ansah took advantage of the visitors being awarded a very soft penalty before the same player sealed the points with a second in the final ten minutes. In between, Bay’s top scorer was denied a hat-trick when Charlie Taylor magnificently saved a second spot kick, which the keeper himself had conceded.

This was the third time that the two sides had met this season and for the third time, the opening half was extremely cagey as both defences were well on top as both sides struggled with the final ball.

Aaron Millbank will be disappointed he couldn’t get on the end of Rory Smith’s centre for the visitors whilst Johan Caney-Bryan just couldn’t stretch enough to force Lex Allan’s knock down over the line.

Dan Carrington should really have done better for the Bay when well placed at a free kick before Taylor was called into action as he turned Smiths low centre away from goal.

The home side began the second half well, and Caney-Bryan’s drive was blocked by keeper Jordan Perrin before Kane Rowlands follow up was cleared.

The introduction of Bode Anidugbe (for Hamilton Antonio) just before the hour certainly gave the Bay some much needed impetus as they stepped up their efforts for the points.

Taylor made a fine full length save to deny Mike West, before the visitors were handed a golden chance to break the deadlock. Eman Dasho and Kieron Campbell clashed as the Bay winger broke into the box and referee Merchant decided that the defenders challenge wasn’t right and pointed to the spot – Ansah duly drilled the ball past the diving Taylor away to his right.

Caney-Bryan had the home sides next chance but could only fire into Perrin’s chest from sub–Harry Stannard’s dinked pass, before the visitors were handed a second penalty as Taylor charged from his line to foul the Herne Bay striker, but this time, Ansah’s spot kick was magnificently turned aside by the keeper who redeemed himself in spectacular fashion.

The home side seemed to have run out of steam and the points were confirmed as heading to Winches Field shortly afterwards as Ansah got his second as he netted from a ball in from the left.

The points give Ben Smith’s side a five-point cushion over Ramsgate and one foot in the Play Offs, whilst for Darren Blackburn’s side it’s now six without a win as all the great efforts from the first thirty games of the season is in danger of unravelling.

SITTINGBOURNE – Taylor, Anderson, Dasho, Pont, Allan, Witt (Oliver), Sam Flisher, Alex Flisher (Stannard), Bancroft, Rowland, Caney-Bryan

Subs – Brooks, Miller, Treadwell

HERNE BAY – Perrin, Williams, Carrington, Harvey, Johnson, Antonio (Anidugbe), West, Smith, Ansah, Millbank (Allsopp), Campbell (Phillip)

Subs – Denny, Dawodu

REFEREE – Mr Merchant