Margate manager Nikki Bull says he expects Saturday's opponents Chelmsford to provide a much tougher test than they did when the teams met at Hartsdown Park a month ago.

A Lewis Taylor treble spearheaded Margate's 4-1 Vanarama National League South victory over the Clarets on January 16 and days later manager Mark Hawkes stepped down by mutual consent.

First team coach Kevin Maher was named interrim boss and the former Gillingham midfielder has wasted no time using his contacts as Southend’s under-21 manager to bring in Jack Bridge and Jason Williams on loan.

Maher - one of five men shortlisted for the job permanently - has also added midfielder Reece Prestedge, from Vanarama National League side Bromley, plus Barnsley under-21 keeper Christian Dibble, and Portuguese left-winger Sandro Samedo from Leyton Orient, meaning Chelmsford will field a much different side to that which lost at Hartsdown.

Maher has only been in charge for two games, but his first produced 16th placed Chelmsford's first home win since mid-September when they beat Whitehawk 4-3 so Bull, whose team are eighth, says he won't be underestimating them.

The Gate boss, beaten just once during 10 games in charge, explained: "Saturday will be another test for us because anytime you go away it's difficult, and I think this will be a totally different game to the one last month.

"The 4-1 holds no weight for us on Saturday. We still need to turn up and put in a good performance because if we take our foot off the gas and aren't mentally switched on we'll be embarrassed.

"I had them (Chelmsford) watched in the game when they beat Whitehawk and they were 4-1 up with five minutes to go.

"They lost 2-0 at home to Sutton but they were in the game for a long time and Sutton are by far the best team I've seen. They're a complete side, with no weaknesses."

Bull says loan signing Daniel Akindayini is fit to play after jarring his knee during his impressive two-goal debut against Basingstoke last weekend and the Brighton under-21 striker will again partner Freddie Ladapo up front.

Earlier this week Bull likened the pair to former Manchester United duo Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke and he says he is really looking forward to their partnership blossoming in the few weeks.

He added: "Everyone saw in that first half against Basingstoke that the platform has been laid for them to really kick on and keep building.

"I think the good thing was that they were both looking to play each other in. Fred set up one of Daniel's goals and Daniel tried to return the compliment.

"I think what they both realise is if they can each get the best out of the other, their own game will benefit too."

Bull watched Sutton - Gate's opponents on Saturday week - win 2-1 at Basingstoke on Tuesday, and the previous night he'd been at Farnborough versus Billericay scouting a player.