Margate had to settle for a draw at Hendon on Saturday but boss Steve Watt believes the point could be vital in the battle to make the Bostik Premier play-offs.

The result at Silver Jubilee Park followed a midweek 2-2 draw at Leiston and Watt says emerging from the two games unbeaten was important for his side, who occupy third.

He said: “Leiston (seventh) and Hendon (fifth) are tough places to go and what’s been pleasing about the two games is that we’ve played teams we could not afford to lose to. If you do, you give them momentum and an incentive to catch you.

“As it is, we’ve kept them both below us, they must win their games (in hand) to get above us, which is a big thing psychologically.

“It’s one thing having games in hand but it’s a big ask when you know you’ve got to win them all. It’s a lot of pressure.”

Watt felt his side created enough chances in the second half at Hendon to have won after Jay May’s deflected strike had cancelled out Joshua Walker’s early opener for the hosts.

He added: “On our second-half performance, we should have been good for at least two or three goals but their goalkeeper made a number of saves including one from a double deflection, which I don’t know how he got to.”

Gate travel to 10th placed Met Police on Saturday – their fourth successive away game – and will do so without top scorer Jordan Chiedozie and midfielder Sam Blackman.

Both received two yellows at Leiston – Chiedozie collecting his second for allegedly laughing at an opponent and Blackman, for simulation.

Watt and assistant Steve Brown were also sent from the dugout in separate incidents and the boss says he will wait until he’s had the referee’s report before deciding whether to appeal his dismissal.

Chiedozie misses two games and Blackman one while the club are waiting to hear the extent of Kane Haysman’s knee injury.

Watt didn’t rule out bringing in new faces ahead of the Police game but admits trying to sign players at this time of season isn’t easy.

He added: “Some players want the security of a deal for next season but we can’t do that at the moment.”