Margate manager Nikki Bull says he will continue to keep tinkering with his side until he finds the right formula.

The Gate’s 2-1 defeat at Wealdstone on Saturday followed a 2-0 midweek loss at Chelmsford and Bull admits his new-look squad failed to do themselves justice in either game.

The Margate boss made two changes for the trip to Wealdstone, with another forced upon him, but he says he is still striving to find the right balance ahead of Tuesday's home match with Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Bull, whose side are 17th in Vanarama National League South, said: “I set myself a target of six points from the first three games and we haven’t done that but I’m sure I’m not the only manager scratching his head.

“You’ve only got to look at Newcastle (who have lost their opening two games in the Championship) or at our level, Welling, who have lost their first three games.

“It’s difficult to put a finger on exactly what’s wrong because training on Thursday was exceptionally good.

“I can’t fault the workrate of the players but as yet I haven’t found the right balance. I’m trying to tweak it around to find a combination that is going to be best for us.”

Bull felt Gate were again the architects of their own downfall at Wealdstone where Brett Johnson and Lewis Taylor started for the first time this season at the expense of Yads Mambo and Michael Thalassitis.

Ali Fuseini also came in for his first start, while Alex Osborn was ruled out by a groin strain picked up at training.

The Blues were behind to an Elliot Benyon goal inside eight minutes and conceded a second on the half hour when Omar Koroma struck.

Bull explained: “We haven’t really imposed ourselves on the opposition (in the last two games) and you’re going to struggle if you keep giving sides a goal or two start.

“It’s a concern because at Chelmsford we had two opportunities to score in the opening five minutes and then the first time they get near our goal they score.

“It was the same on Saturday. Ali Fuseini got caught on the ball and one pass later it’s at Elliot Benyon’s feet and if you give a player of his calibre that sort of chance he’s going to punish you.

“We huffed and puffed after that but then gave away another poor goal and never really looked like we were going to get back into it.”

Margate watched Hampton & Richmond beat Eastbourne Borough 3-1 last Tuesday and although they lost 2-1 at home to East Thurrock on Saturday, he expects them to be tough opposition.

He does however feel his side have the ability to bounce back from their last two displays.

Bull added: "The good thing about this league is that when you have a defeat the next game comes along pretty quick to put it right.”

Meanwhile Bull says he will sit down with Gate owner-chairman John Webb this week to see if there are any wider implications for him, following the release of a statement about the the club’s financial position at the weekend.

Mr Webb, who took over the club from previous owner Bob Laslett in March, said he felt the statement was necessary to end speculation about the club’s finances.

He explained that the Blues are short of the funds needed to fulfil their 2016/17 business plan, but pledged that manager Bull’s budget would not be affected.