Margate manager Terry Brown admits Saturday's Vanarama National League South home clash against Havant and Waterlooville could be a pivotal fixture for both clubs.

Neither side have so far lived up to pre-season expectations with Margate collecting just just two wins from 14 matches to sit 19th, one place and one point behind Havant.

Margate lost 2-0 at Westleigh Park in mid-August - one of only three wins so far for the Hampshire club - and Brown is particularly keen to reverse his side's poor form at Hartsdown, where they have still to win after six attempts this season.

The match against Havant is one of three in a row at home - the Gate host Whitehawk on Saturday week and Bath City on November 17 - and Brown is desperate for his side to start climbing the table.

He admitted: "Saturday a big, big game for both clubs because we're both underperforming at the moment and we need to get a bit of a run together to get ourselves out of trouble.

"It should be an interesting one because Havant have not won away and we have not won at home."

Margate's return of just 12 goals in 14 matches has prompted Brown to turn to the loan market and he says he has contacted around 10 pro clubs in an attempt to bring in some fresh faces.

He explained: "We've tried every permutation (this season) - everyone has had a go and we still haven't found that magic formula so I think we need to bring in some fresh faces to help inject some pace into our attacking play.

"We've identified a couple of (under-21) players we'd like to bring down but until I get a yes we're a bit in limbo.

"Any move has got to be beneficial to the player and when you are dealing with the club, the player, his agent and his parents it can take time to sort out."

Brown said he remained optimistic of completing a deal before the weekend and he also hopes to have defender Jake Goodman (foot) and forward Christian Jolley (illness) available for selection. However, Lewis Taylor (Achilles) is probably still a week away from a return.