Hayes 1 Margate 0

MANAGER Chris Kinnear believes Margate face a "hard slog" if they are to make the end of season play-offs in Nationwide South.

The defeat at Church Road on Saturday left them 16th in the table, seven points above bottom side St Albans, but only 10 points behind fifth place Thurrock, emphasising how tight the league is.

However, Kinnear's immedate concern is fielding a side to face Bishop's Stortford on Tuesday night. Top scorer Che Stadhart missed the game due to illness, while skipper Darren Annon and Peter Benevides both had to be replaced before half time and must be rated doubtful for the midweek trip to the Hertfordshire/Essex border.

Kinnear said: "Things are not going for us at the moment, losing by the odd goal again. We have just to got to hang on in there. We lost Darren early on, and then Peter went off as well, so it caused us problems. We are short on numbers and we have got to make the best of what we have got, until things (about the ground) get sorted out."

Darren Watson partnered Rocky Baptiste up front in Stadhart's absence, starting a game for the first time this season. Benevides and John Keister created chances, before play switched to the other end and goalkeeper Peter Trego denied home pair Stuart Tanfield and Kieron Knight.

Margate almost went in front when a clearance hit Baptiste, only to fall wide of the target. However, they fell behind just after the half hour. A free kick was only half cleared and as the ball came back into the Margate area Josh Scott headed home from close range.

Pat Gradley, Keister and substitute Adrian Clarke, back after two games out, all had chances. Clarke went close again before Hayes almost added a second when Mark Molesley saw his effort pushed around a post by Trego.

However, there was almost a sting in the visitors' tail. Baptiste combine well with Watson only to see the ball hit a home defender, to cap a disappointing and frustrating afternoon, and leave Margate without a win in five games.

Kinnear added: "The council leader was quoted as saying that he foresees us back playing back at Hartsdown at the beginning of next season. If that happens, and the money starts to come through, then we can start strengthening the squad. But until then it's going to be quite difficult for us."