Margate manager Nikki Bull says he was disappointed but not surprised to see owner/chairman John Webb quit the club.

Mr Webb resigned after eight months on Wednesday to be replaced as chairman and majority shareholder by Alistair Bayliss, and Bull said he sensed the decision had been coming.

He revealed that he, Mr Webb and Mr Bayliss had held a meeting in the wake of the 2-0 FA Trophy third qualifying round replay defeat at East Thurrock United on Tuesday night.

The Gate boss explained: "I'm disappointed but not surprised (by Mr Webb's decision). I just felt over the last couple of months the size of the task here had dawned on John.

"I think he'd be the first to admit that he did not have the tools to see the club through these stormy waters.

"He, Alistair and I had a full and frank discussion (after the Thurrock defeat) and Alistair and I were both of the opinion that we would not put any more money in because we did not feel it was our place to do so with John as chairman.

"I think John went home and slept on it and probably realised the detrimental effect it was having on his health and personal life. I think he'd just had enough but I wish him and his family well because I always found John very approachable and knowledgeable about football."

Bull revealed that such are the club's present cash-flow problems he paid the players' wage bill for November - money he does not now expect to get back.

He added: "It's not the fault of the players nor the office staff, the situation we find ourselves in and I felt I had an obligation as manager to make sure that all the boys, including those who left last week, were paid on time."

Bull refused to say exactly how much he had paid out but confirmed it was a five-figure fee. He added that none of the players who have left Hartsdown in the past few weeks had asked to do so.

Gate, 19th in Vanarama National League South, travel to runaway leaders Maidenhead on Saturday and Bull admits the two clubs are operating on completely different platforms.

He added: "They're a club full of confidence and everything is going right for them at the moment whereas we're a club in trouble trying to rebuild and restructure."

Defender Tariq Moore-Azille could be given his debut at York Road while midfielder Lewis Taylor is available again.

Meanwhile defender Adam Cash has turned his loan move at Leatherhead into a permanent one and Bull expects the future of striker Daniel Akindayini - also currently on loan with the Tanners - to be resolved soon.