Nikki Bull says Margate's FA Cup third qualifying round replay at Hastings on Tuesday is a game they dare not lose.

Late goals from Matt Johnson and Manny Parry earned the Blues a 2-2 draw in the first game at Hartsdown last Tuesday and boss Bull says it is imperative they make the most of their lifeline.

Victory in Sussex would bank the cash-strapped Vanarama National League South club a very welcome £7,500 and send them through to a fourth qualifying round tie away to Ryman League Premier Division side Harrow Borough on Saturday.

Bull refused to be drawn on the full extent of Margate's financial position, or what the wider implications of defeat might be, but last week co-chairman designate Alistair Bayliss described the club's situation as 'horrendous.'

The Gate boss explained: "Alistair made it quite clear last week how tight things are at the club and that makes this a huge week.

"We must win on Tuesday and we must win on Saturday, that's the bottom line. We want to be in the first round proper and in many respects we need to be."

Bull continues to be beset by injury problems with Matthias Fanimo (Achilles), Lewis Taylor (Achilles), Scott Donnelly (knee) and Michael Thalassitis (hamstring) all ruled out of the trip to Hastings.

Striker Marcel Barrington is on international duty with Guyana while defender Danny Fitzsimons, outstanding on his return to the side in Saturday's 2-1 home league win over Hemel Hempstead, is ineligible having been on loan at Greenwich when the first tie was played.

His place could go to Brett Johnson, who, typically, has declared himself fit ahead of schedule after his hamstring injury although Bull says the experienced defender will be assessed ahead of the game.

The Gate boss also expects Adam Cash and Chris Sessegnon to be available despite suffering niggles against Hemel.

Cash - starting for the first time since September 3 - went down with cramp late on while Sessegnon played on despite picking up a hamstring problem in the opening 20 minutes.