Reece Prestedge cannot wait to test his in-form Margate team against Isthmian Premier frontrunners Bishop’s Stortford.

Gate are on a four-game unbeaten run which included Saturday’s goalless draw at Hastings and last Wednesday’s 2-0 victory at Kingstonian.

But Margate, who have now appointed Prestedge as their new boss until the end of the season, will face a stiff test at Hartsdown Park this Saturday. Bishop’s Stortford are in good form themselves under Steve Smith and going for the title, having been on a four-match winning run before Tuesday's 2-1 loss at Bognor.

Prestedge said on Monday: “They’re, obviously, league leaders at the moment.

“I know a lot of their players and I know their manager. They’re on a very good run.

“It will be a good test to see where we’re at."

More than 1,000 fans were at Hastings and Prestedge was happy enough to come away with a share of the spoils.

“Whatever you pick up away, you sort of take as a bonus,” he reflected. “Don’t get me wrong, we had to work hard for the point.

“They were probably very much more dominant than us in the first half. But we managed to stay organised and defended really well.

“We take that point all day long.”

It was a second successive clean sheet for Gate who earned their win at Kingstonian through newly-appointed player-assistant Ben Greenhalgh’s penalty and a late second by playmaker Nathan Wood - watched by Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount.

Prestedge said: “I think him and Nathan are very good mates. I don’t even think Nathan knew he would turn up!

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“I think he just fancied a non-league game.

“It was nice to see a player of that calibre coming to watch.”

Gate have brought in defender Sinn'Kaye Christie who made his Gate debut as a substitute at Hastings.

“He will bring competition,” Prestedge noted. “That’s one thing we wanted to bring - competition for places.

“It galvanises the team. I was pleased when he came on, he came on and made us solid.

"He’s a big lad. We were short height-wise and he will add more presence.”

Also rejoining the club is striker Harvey Smith while they have terminated the contract of winger Troy Howard after a loan spell at Deal.

Prestedge and Greenhalgh had been in temporary charge since the departure of Andy Drury before the pair were appointed as Margate’s new management team.

“It’s nice to have the title, I suppose,” Prestedge said. “Me and Ben were planning for it, just in case it did happen.

“The players and the board, and everyone really, have been brilliant. It feels nice that we can bring that stability to the club.

“The players we have brought in have bought into it. Everyone is fighting for everyone, which is good to see.

“Credit to the players. At the moment, there’s a good team spirit.”

There’s a different challenge next Tuesday for Margate, who are due to visit basement boys Herne Bay for a derby.

Prestedge said: “We will go into every game, planning and preparing like we do for every other game.

“We will not look at Herne Bay as an easy ride. They’re fighting for their lives."

On-loan Gillingham youngster Matty Macarthur picked up a calf problem while training with his parent club. But the teenager could return against Bishop’s Stortford.