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But now there is a light at the end of the tunnel- both for kenning and Kitchen. The Moatmen have won two games on the trot, have scored four goals- two of which have come from new striker Simon Tucker - and kept two clean sheets. For Kitching the turnaround has been just as dramatic. Complications with his broken leg, which did not heal properly initially, saw his comeback put back for the foreseeable future.

But 45 minutes training with the first team last week has made him realise that comeback is not too far away, and Kenning has already pencilled him in for a Christmas return.

Said the Moat boss: " I am looking at Kitching being back in the first team action in a month to six weeks. I had a chat with him the other night and told him I am looking for him to be back by Christmas. He is feeling a lot stronger and his leg is fine and we are looking at giving him half a dozen games in the reserves at the end of November and beginning of December. An injury like that rocks you a bit and I think he expected to be back in action a lot quicker but there is a bit of bounce in him now. There were problems with the leg healing but the hospital has told him they don't expect to see him again. Now it is up to him to build his leg up because when you have been out for eight months it is not just the break that needs fixing but the muscle and tendons around it. He trained with the team last week and steam was coming off him everywhere and he was blowing a bit, but he has kept up his gym work and is on his way back."

After seeing his side struggle to score goals, Kenning could soon fine himself relatively well off in the striker department.

Tucker looks to be a natural goal scorer and Dave King makes his comeback for the reserves tomorrow (14th).