Boss Andy Drury felt Margate’s opening-day draw against Kingstonian should have kicked off later in the day amid the recent heatwave.

Gate skipper Ben Greenhalgh scored a late penalty as Drury’s team came from behind to draw 1-1 in Isthmian Premier in front of a home crowd of 503 on Saturday.

There were a handful of Margate debuts - however Drury concedes they came in far from ideal conditions.

“It really was difficult in the heat,” said Drury.

“The league should have put it back to 7pm or 8pm. It’s not fair on the players, really.

“But everyone did all right in tough conditions.

“We just need a little bit more in the final third which we are looking for. If we can get that, I think we will have a successful season.”

• Margate player makes team-of-the-week

Greenhalgh, 30, has plenty of experience higher up the football pyramid having played for Scottish side Inverness and a host of Kent clubs.

The goal-scoring midfielder kept his nerve to calmly step up and fire home from the spot at Hartsdown Park.

“I’m expecting him to bag roughly 20 goals again, like he did last year,” Drury said.

“He is a good player at this level.

"Hopefully, we can make him even better.”

Two of the five Margate players handed league debuts were full-back Taylor Fisher and winger Troy Howard, who have signed from lower-league clubs.

“I think they are really good prospects for us over the next couple of years,” said Drury, who also played summer signings Amadou Tangara, Harry Hudson and Adeyinka Cole.

“It might take a little bit of adapting, but they did well on Saturday.

"They are good prospects to have and it’s up to us to make sure they improve as well.

“I have seen the quality they have got in pre-season.

"Taylor goes up and down and is very energetic. Troy got pulled by their left-back all second half but they [the officials] turned a blind eye to it which was a bit frustrating.

“But he will learn from it. He is another exciting prospect to have and his pace will worry the life out of teams.”

Having started their season at home, Margate are due to visit Bowers & Pitsea, managed by former Faversham manager James Collins, tonight before a trip to Brightlingsea this weekend.

Drury added: “I think every game is tough in this league, every away game is going to be tough.

“You never quite know how the other team is going to show up.

"But what I do know about this level is no-one gives you anything for nothing.”