Chris Edwards scored his first goal for the club, but it proved to not be enough as the Bay were held to a 1-1 draw by Kingstonian at Ramsgate’s WW Martin Community Stadium.

Edwards put the Bay ahead midway through the first half with a long-range strike that left the visiting ‘keeper rooted to the spot.

KC almost doubled our advantage just before the break with a strike which whistled just wide of the top right corner.

The hosts threw everything they had at Ben Smith’s side in the second half, with Bay shot-stopper Jordan Perrin making a series of fine saves to maintain the lead.

However, there was nothing he could do late on as Tyrese Owen headed home from a Kingstonian free-kick, earning the visitors a share of the spoils.

It could have been a perfect start for the Bay when seconds after the game kicked off, Hassan Jalloh worked his way into a dangerous position, only to see Rob Tolfrey make the save at his near post.

Starting in place of Marcel Barrington, Zak Ansah was looking to make an immediate impact and in the fourth minute, he was left frustrated when his header looped onto the roof of the net.

Searching for their first win of the season, Kingstonian began to press forward but when in a shooting position on the wing, the visiting forward curled his effort wide.

Approaching the 20th minute, Jack Parter came surging into the visiting half, going unchallenged as he approached the Kingstonian box. Presented with plenty of space to shoot, Parts tried his luck but his effort was agonisingly off target.

Less than sixty seconds later, Ansah was back in the action. Having bullied his way into the penalty area, he teed the ball to Jalloh just outside the box. His first-time short flew wide of Tolfrey’s goal as the Bay continued to be frustrated.

However, they soon got the goal that they deserved but from an unlikely source. A revelation since joining the club, Chris Edwards took a page out of Parts’ book by carrying the ball forward and given all the space in the world to shoot, he rifled one into the back of the net from 30-yards out in the 27th minute, leaving Tolfrey bamboozled.

A goal behind, the visitors were brought back to life and were beginning to look a lot more threatening. In the 31st minute, Kieron Cadogan almost bagged Kingstonian an equaliser but his powerful effort flew into the outside of the side netting.

The Bay were finding themselves on the back foot a little bit more as the game approached the half time break, with Owen and Korrey Henry both wasting golden chances to grab a goal.

But Ben Smith’s side were putting in one hell of a first half performance and with five minutes to go before the break, they could have easily had a second through KC. After the ball fell into his path, following Kymani Thomas’ blocked shot, Campbell took aim at the top-right corner, but his shot whistled just wide.

The Kingstonian manager must have lit a fire under his side during the break because as soon as the second half got underway, they were right on the front foot. Only a tremendous challenge from Keano Robinson prevented the visitors breaking through on goal.

In the 48th minute, the hosts broke forward again and with the goal at his mercy, Gabriel Ajuchi was denied by a spectacular save from Perrin, who spread himself well to deny the Kingstonian forward.

The visitors were beginning to smell blood, as the Bay were being forced to defend for their lives. Another excellent save from Perrin ensured Kingstonian remained frustrated, before Ajuchi’s long-range effort was dragged wide moments later in the 54th minute.

Herne Bay were being kept busy at the back, but that didn’t mean they weren’t being active going forward. Approaching the hour mark, KC cut inside his man before taking a shot, one which was blocked by a defender’s leg before the ball was eventually hacked off the line.

It seemed as though Ben Smith’s side had rediscovered their mojo, with Jalloh also seeing a goalbound shot blocked by the Kingstonian defence after 62 minutes.

With 20 minutes remaining, tempers began to flare as an off-the-ball incident sparked a bit of a scrum on the sideline. Once things had calmed down, Kenny Beaney picked up a booking and Kingstonian were handed a throw in, despite the referee signalling that is was a blue ball.

Time was running out for the Bay to put this game beyond doubt as another goal line block denied KC his first goal of the season. Shortly after, Perrin was on hand to make another fine save, making it seem like that it might just be our day.

However, with four minutes remaining, Tyrese Owen got on the end of a dangerously-swung free-kick to turn the ball from close range; a goal that, in truth, Kingstonian deserved.

Seconds later, things could have got even worse for Smith’s side when the hosts broke clean through on goal once again. As before, Perrin was on hand to spare the Bay’s blushes, pulling off another outstanding stop.

With the Bay now trying the reclaim their lead, there was a little more energy going forward. In the 88th minute, it looked as though a goal was on the cards when Bode Anidugbe was played into acres of space.

However, indecision struck and before he could fire home, the ‘keeper re-positioned himself and made the save, with the Kingstonian defence blocking Barrington’s follow up effort.

It seemed that the only side set to score were the Bay, as KC dragged his shot across the face of goal, with the ball only needing a slight touch. But there was just not enough time as the game ended all square.

Final Score: Herne Bay 1 Kingstonian 1

Herne Bay Starting XI: Jordan Perrin, Chris Edwards, Jack Parter, Keano Robinson, Lexus Beeden, Hamilton Antonio (Helge Orome 84), Zak Ansah (Marcel Barrington 74’), Kieron Campbell ©, Kymani Thomas, Bode Anidugbe, Hassan Jalloh (Mike West 74’)

Unused Subs: Daniel Johnson, Monty Saunders