Margate manager Nikki Bull has received some good news after learning Alfie Foster’s injury is not as serious as first thought.

The 19-year-old midfielder turned defender was taken off on a stretcher during the first half of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Vanarama National League South leaders Maidenhead but Bull says the diagnosis is not as bad as originally feared.

He explained: “They thought at first that he had broken his ankle but it turned out to be bone bruising which will probably keep him out for a couple of weeks or so.”

Bull felt his side competed well at York Road but admitted Maidenhead’s prolific duo Dave Tarpey and Sean Marks were the difference. Both scored taking their combined league tally for the season to 32.

Bull added: “For the first 25 minutes we were more than in the game but the opening goal knocked the stuffing out of us, but we kept going in the second half, and at no point did I think we were embarrassed or outclassed. We just lacked a little bit here and there in decisive moments.”

Gate host Maidenhead’s nearest challengers St Albans on Saturday and Bull joked: “We’re playing the team in second this week so it’s getting a bit easier.”

Gate have put keeper Valery Pajetat on a contract until the end of the season and last week signed young defender Nathan Fox on a 28-day loan from Championship side Brentford.

He made his debut at Maidenhead and Bull believes the youngster showed a great deal of promise.

"I thought Nathan grew into the game. We started him at left-back. It's not his natural position although he had played there for Brentford but I felt he'd do better at right-back so we switched him there once Alfie had gone off. I think he'll be an asset both defensively and going forward."