Boss Mark Stimson hopes out-of-form Margate’s luck is about to change - with the club set to appeal Ben Greenhalgh’s red card.

Key playmaker Greenhalgh was controversially dismissed during their 3-2 Isthmian Premier loss at Whitehawk last weekend, ruled to have kicked out at a home player after a collision.

He was red-carded in the 78th minute after two-goal Steve Cawley had helped Gate recover from 2-0 down after 15 minutes, moving to 15 goals for the season.

They nearly held on for a draw - only for a last-minute own goal by keeper Harry Seaden.

Stimson, who has reviewed footage of the incident, said: “At the time, it didn’t look like a red card. Knowing him, that’s not Ben.

“When the referee said ‘violent conduct’, I said ‘Really?!’.

“We have decided to appeal against it. Hopefully, by the middle of the week, we will know what the outcome is.

“Our luck is not in at the moment. Fingers crossed, it starts to change.”

Stimson was also confused why captain Sam Blackman remained unavailable for the Whitehawk match.

With defender Tyrone Sterling sent off in an abandoned Boxing Day game at Cray Wanderers due to a stoppage-time injury, the 0-0 scoreline standing as the result, he served a one-match ban at the weekend. But Margate’s trip to Hayes Lane did not count as one of midfielder Blackman’s two games in his suspension.

“Our captain, Sam, had a two-game suspension,” explained Stimson. “We’re waiting for the FA to get back to us about that. He ended up missing Saturday as well.

“We had a game and it was registered as a 0-0 draw. The player sent off in that game (Sterling) served his suspension on Saturday but Sam’s (match towards his ban) doesn’t count.

“Nothing will change, it’s just a case of ‘Can you show us that rule?’. If we missed it, we will accept it.”

Gate host basement boys Concord on Saturday and visit another relegation rival in Cheshunt on Tuesday.

“We play Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday, so we have got to be ready for that,” said Stimson.

“Concord will look at it and think they have a chance (of getting a result) - it’s the same for us.

“We need to be up for it on Saturday.”

Recently-signed midfielder Josh Tobin has left for Southern League Premier Division South Walton & Hersham after being offered regular first-team minutes.

Stimson explained: “We couldn’t promise him starts and, since he joined, he hasn’t got as many minutes as he wanted to.

“Walton & Hersham have promised him minutes. We cannot stand in the way of that.

“So, he has moved on with our very best wishes.”