Nikki Bull has assured fans that no-one is working harder than him to pull Margate out of their present mini-crisis.

The Gate boss enjoyed a flying start to his managerial career at Hartsdown Park, losing just one of his first 11 matches after succeeding Terry Brown.

But a run of four consecutive defeats, including two in a row at home, has seen the Blues slip to 11th in Vanarama National League South, ahead of Saturday’s home game with Hayes & Yeading.

By Bull’s own admission Gate lacked their usual edge during last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat to Oxford City, who ended an eight-match winless run courtesy of goals from Matt Whichelow, on 39 minutes, and Matty Bevans, on 84.

Bull's own future beyond this season has still to be resolved, but he says his aim is the same as it was when he was appointed, and that he will continue to work hard to make sure strong foundations are in place for next season.

He explained: “Nothing has really changed (because of the defeats) - my aim is still to get as many points on the board as possible.

"When we went on that big run, I didn’t get caught up in getting blase, or change the way I work. If anything this week I worked harder.

“I go to games all the time and I’m speaking to people. There’s a lot of work going on behind the scenes that people won’t be seeing.

"A lot goes into a Saturday at three o’clock. I don’t just turn up at half-one, pick a team and we go out.”

Bull believes now might be the time to fresh up his squad, and he was hoping to bolster his attacking options ahead of the Hayes and Yeading game.

Bull also revealed that the club will use video evidence in an attempt to get Jake Goodman's red card against Oxford overturned, and that Lewis Taylor, given his marching orders at Sutton, was this week expecting to hear what the charge against him will be. The club will then have 14 days to respond.

Meanwhile, Gate's 11-goal top scorer Freddie Ladapo has been having trials with FA Cup semi-finalists Crystal Palace.

The 23-year-old forward spent four days training with the Premier League club last week and on Monday night scored a hat-trick for their under-21s in a 5-0 win over Watford at St Albans.