Two quick first-half goals saw Herne Bay succumb to defeat away at Sheppey this afternoon.

The early stages were evenly contested, with The Bay going close after excellent work from Joseph Tooth on the left side of the box. His play created an opening for Ellis Stone, whose side-footed effort drifted just wide of the post.

At the other end, a series of corners threatened to bring the breakthrough for Sheppey. When it did arrive, however, it came from open play, with the home side cutting through The Bay defence before a clinical finish from inside the box found the net.

Just a few minutes later it was 2-0 after The Bay's attempt to play out from the back did not go to plan. Sheppey regained possession and sliced through what remained of the away defence, with a near-post finish doing the rest.

The second half brought an immediate improvement from The Bay, who began forcing several last-ditch challenges inside the box. A left-footed shot from Oliver Vernon was pushed behind for a corner as the visitors continued their efforts to find a route back into the game.

The goal eventually arrived with around seven minutes remaining, courtesy of the head of Jacob Seager. Despite being one of the smallest players on the pitch, he met a cross with a superbly judged header that looped over the goalkeeper to give The Bay a lifeline.

There was still enough time on the clock for an unlikely comeback and certainly no shortage of determination to make it happen. But despite enjoying plenty of possession and winning a succession of set pieces, the equaliser never quite arrived.

On the evidence of their second-half performance, this was a game The Bay will feel aggrieved to have lost. However, the defensive lapses that proved so costly in the first half mean getting points on the board continues to be an uphill struggle.