Nikki Bull admitted Margate were architects of their own downfall in Saturday's Vanarama National League South defeat against Hayes and Yeading at Hartsdown.

The Blues led courtesy of Freddie Ladapo's penalty on the half hour but gifted the visitors a way back when Nathan Green needlessly fouled Elliot Benyon in the box just before half-time.

Benyon himself converted the spot kick and Hayes completed their comeback early in the second half when more poor defending enabled debut centre-half Sean Cronin to chest the ball home from virtually on the goalline.

The defeat was Gate's fifth in a row - three of which have been at Hartsdown- and boss Bull admitted he was bitterly disappointted, particularly given they had led.

He added: "I've always maintained since I've been at Margate that getting in front in games at home is the hardest thing, but once you're in front the game should open up for you. That goal just before half-time really was the defining moment of the game for me.

"I sensed that when we got in front, they seemed to go back into their shell a bit. We were right on top so to give away the penalty was criminal.

"You can't defend like that and I've told Nathan (Green) that. He's done it too many times this season. It's an over eagerness to go and win the ball.

"Their guy (Benyon) was going away from goal, he had his back to goal, and the ball's in the air. Just let him have it, he wasn't going anywhere.

"All season we've been great at giving teams a lift at the wrong point and again, right at the start of the second half we've given away an atrocious goal.

"There was a lack of communication and Chris (keeper Chris Lewington) has come in and apologised afterwards. He totally misjudged it."

Bull said he was disappointed to see a first-half effort from Ladapo disallowed for handball, but did concede that the striker's penalty which opened the scoring was an unusual one.

He explained:"The penalty was bizarre. To be honest I was expecting him to be asked to re-take it because he's kicked it onto his other foot - it was two-touch penalty."

For the fifth game in a row Gate had a player sent off after substitute Brett Johnson was shown an injury-time red card for a challenge on Hayes midfielder Shephard Murombedzi.

Bull, however thought the decision harsh. He said: "The other bench is usually a good gauge and they were laughing to me, saying they didn't even think it was a booking.

"I'm 15 yards away but they were right on top of it and every one of them was laughing at me saying they didn't even think it should have been a yellow card but as we saw with Jake Goodman (against Oxford City) last week. Do I think it will be overturned -no."