Nikki Bull says he saw the best and worst of his side as Margate slipped to their third successive Vanarama National League South defeat, losing 3-1 at Maidenhead on Saturday.

New-boy Greg Cundle scored on his debut, following the 18-year-old Gillingham striker’s arrival on a 28-day loan, and he impressed Bull, who was less happy about his side’s second-half performance.

He said: “When I first got the job we set-up defensively, wanting to be hard to beat.

“With the results we got, I was looking to be more offensive and easier on the
eye.

“We went 4-3-3 on Saturday and in the first half-hour (despite falling behind to a third-minute opener), we played some of the best stuff since I got the job, and set the bar high.

"Had it been a boxing match, the referee would have stopped the fight.

"We then conceded a sloppy goal early in the second and it was an issue of application after that, people not doing their jobs. I felt the players let me down and told them so.”

Cundle has arrived at Hartsdown Park after being recommended to Margate scout David Lee by Gills boss Justin Edinburgh, the pair having played together at Tottenham.

He had spent a spell on loan at Ryman League Division 1 South side East Grinstead.

Bull said: “Greg was excellent in every aspect of his game. Shooting is a dying art in football today but he had four shots, scored, hit the bar and their keeper made two great saves.”

Lewis Taylor and Charlie Wassmer both miss the visit of Oxford City this Saturday due to suspension.