Manager Mark Stimson insists he has seen enough from Margate’s squad to believe they can secure Isthmian Premier survival.

Gate, who dropped into the bottom four as they lost 4-2 at Hashtag United last weekend, have won only once since Stimson took charge last December and have taken just six points from their last 16 matches.

While Stimson concedes they desperately need to start delivering 90-minute displays, he has taken heart from spells in games, such as Ben Greenhalgh’s late brace at Hashtag United. The visitors had trailed 4-0 before playmaker Greenhalgh struck twice in the second half to move to 10 goals for the season.

Asked if he still felt Gate would avoid the drop, Stimson replied: “Of course.

“They do show it in games - like Saturday. Looking at it now, it’s not worth anything, but we won the second half 2-1. It shows they can do it.

“The weekend before, we played Horsham who are fifth in the table and it was 2-1 and we’re in the game and our captain (Sam Blackman) gets sent off (ultimately losing 3-1). We beat Canvey Island 3-2.

“But we cannot do it in 20-minute spells, especially at the beginning of games. We need to stay in games and not give ourselves a mountain to climb.”

With league fixtures starting to run out, Margate are set to travel to play-off chasing Carshalton this Saturday, having seen Tuesday’s trip to Cheshunt postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Stimson, whose 19th-placed team have also played more games than most around them, said on Monday: “Things need to change sooner rather than later.

“Someone said at the weekend, if we lose at Cheshunt, that could be the end. I don’t see that because it’s still not mathematically impossible.

“But if we beat Cheshunt, these games are not worth anything if we lose the eight after that.

“We need as many points as possible - we could win all the games and that’s still not enough! Everything goes into the next game.

“Fingers crossed, we have got enough and, hopefully, then we can get a run going.”

Gate were without 18-goal top scorer Steve Cawley (hamstring) and the suspended skipper Sam Blackman at Hashtag United, as well as teenage forward Vinnie Bowman. He continues to impress on trial at Millwall.

“It was a game of two halves,” reflected Stimson, who also lost stand-in skipper Harry Hudson (concussion) and fellow defender Tyrone Sterling (thigh) to knocks during the match.

“We wished we had our second half in the first half! We did well there.

“Going into the game without Stevie, due to a slight injury, it was always going to be tough. But the first half wasn’t acceptable and was not good enough. You ask a few questions of the players at half-time after that.

“They have got character and they can do it - they showed that in the second half - but it’s no good doing it after the first half that happened.

“Our captain, Harry, had to come off with a slight concussion and Tyrone Sterling - another centre-back - had to come off.

“At the moment, things aren’t going for us. But we cannot feel sorry for ourselves.”

With Margate light on numbers, youngster Mohammed Ahmed was handed his full senior debut at Hashtag United.

“He brings a bit of pace,” noted Stimson. “I had to bring him in because we’re light on numbers with our captain, Sam Blackman, suspended again and Stevie injured.

“We’re light on numbers and, unfortunately, we’re going to be even lighter.

“But the boy brings energy. He played for 60 minutes. He had a great opportunity and, unfortunately, it went the wrong side of the post.

“I’m sure he will be used this week.”

Fellow under-23 player Gabriel Duo was also thrust into the first-team spotlight, replacing Sterling.

Stimson added: “He was another debutant.

“He played for the under-23s on Friday night (against Ramsgate) and did well. He came on, on Saturday, and looked comfortable.

“He’s another that I’m sure will be called upon.”

Blackman will be available again following the match at Carshalton while sidelined Cawley, Sterling and Hudson are due to be monitored.