Manager Mark Stimson has highlighted the full-back areas as somewhere Margate must improve.

A 4-2 loss at play-off chasing Lewes last weekend extended relegation-threatened Gate’s winless run to 16 matches in all competitions.

It was a defeat which also sent Margate into the Isthmian Premier relegation zone, sitting 19th, ahead of their trip to Hastings tonight and a home game against Dulwich this Saturday.

Stimson, who has signed teenage right-back Archie Panyi from Lewes, said: “We have got to roll our sleeves up, keep getting on the ball, keep trying to create but, most importantly, be more solid defensively and more ruthless in our defensive third.

“I think it’s a little bit too easy to cross balls into our box at the moment.

“That’s something we will definitely be working on in training and, also, maybe getting some other players in to help that situation.”

Gate, who have added midfielders Dominic Vose and Yaser Kasim to their ranks, are working on more signings this week.

But they will be without centre-back Lewis Knight for a few weeks due to personal reasons while right-back Harrison Hatfull, now of Dulwich, prepares for his first return since his latest departure.

Hatfull left Gate for Hakan Hayrettin’s team not long after Stimson had been appointed.

Stimson added: “We have got a very good goalkeeper (in Harry Seaden).

“Although Harry’s young, he has got good experience for his age - nearly 100 games as a 22-year-old.

“That’s excellent.

“Harry Hudson and Tyrone Sterling are both very good central defenders at this level.

“Unfortunately, Knighty has got an issue so he won’t be able to play football for the next few weeks. That’s a massive blow.

“The only area I haven’t spoken about there is the full-back area. That’s the problem.

“Balls are coming into the box too easily and that’s where we have got to tighten up.

“Losing Harrison to Dulwich when I first came in was a big blow because he’s a good player who can defend but also get forward.

“On the other side, Archie (Johnson) hasn’t done as well as I’d have hoped in the last few weeks.

“That’s an area we have got to try and address.”

Stimson moved to bring in Vose and Iraqi international Kasim after parting with Rohdell Gordon, Godfrey Poku and Leo Mazzone.

But they couldn’t help Gate to a much-needed victory - despite teenager Vinnie Bowman and fellow striker Steve Cawley scoring at Lewes.

“Obviously, we’re disappointed with the defeat,” reflected Stimson. “We don’t like losing.

“Also, scoring two goals away from home and not getting anything from the game is disappointing. But Lewes were a very good attacking side.

“They played with a lot of width and their wingers caused us too many problems. I think that led to three of their goals.

“But a plus is young Vinnie got another start - and scored. I think that was his first league goal. With him being such a young age, I’m sure he’ll score many more.

“Dom trained for about 30 minutes with the team on Thursday night and Yaser only joined us on Saturday morning. Both looked like good additions.”

Ben Greenhalgh is back from suspension but the wait for captain Sam Blackman to return from injury continues.

“Sam has had a relapse with his injury,” explained Stimson.

“We were possibly looking at this Saturday, but that’s very unlikely now.

“As captain, Sam is the driving force. You don’t like losing any players from your team - but your captain is a big loss.

“No disrespect but, if you lose a full-back, lose a winger or lose a midfield player, (you can replace them).

“But, when you’re losing your captain, you’re losing your leader.”