Nikki Bull admits it will take him a long time to get over the disappointment of Margate's FA Cup exit at the hands of Harrow Borough.

The Gate boss conceded that Ryman League Borough fully deserved their 3-1 win in Tuesday's fourth qualifying round replay at Hartsdown, but accused his own team of not turning up.

Defeat meant the Blues missed out on a money-spinning first round tie away to League 1 Northampton Town and Bull admitted: "It was a massive, massive blow to be knocked out.

"Full credit to Harrow, they totally deserved their win and I wish them all the best at Northampton, but we have to look at ourselves.

"Everyone knew what was at stake on Tuesday but we simply did not turn up. Apart from 10 to 15 minutes in the second half we were second best by a long way and that's unacceptable.

"The bottom line is that Harrow wanted it more than us, they showed more hunger, more desire and that's the hardest thing as a manager, that in a big game that meant so much we did not show up. That's what hurts more than anything."

In the aftermath of Tuesday's defeat there was speculation among some fans that Bull had resigned but the Gate boss explained that while he was disappointed and embarrassed by the result, quitting had never crossed his mind.

He did however warn that Gate's failure to progress would inevitably have financial implications for the club and there might have to be more short term pain to achieve long-term gain.

Bull added: "There are things going on behind the scenes which will improve the club in the medium to long-term but it may be that in the short term things will have to get worse before they get better."

Gate resume their Vanarama National League South campaign at home to bottom club

Concord on Saturday and Bull says he wants a reaction from his players.

He added: “It's a cliche but the playing staff owe the fans a decent performance after Tuesday. Results would suggest Concord have had a struggle at the start of the season but I think they’re a bit like us in that they’ve had a lot of injuries.

“They’re always very competitive and we owe them one because they did the double over us last season."