Steve Watt says Margate’s derby draw with Folkestone Invicta has given him cause for optimism as the Blues continue to fight it out for a Bostik Premier play-off place.

Even Invicta manager Neil Cugley admitted Gate were the better side in Monday’s 1-1 draw and Watt says that should give his players plenty of confidence for their five-game run-in which concludes with matches against promotion rivals Staines, Billericay and Dulwich Hamlet.

Boss Watt, whose side remain fifth, said: “Monday was frustrating because we deserved more, but there are going to be twists and turns all over the place in these play-offs.

“Everyone has still got to play everyone and what fills me with confidence is how we perform against the top lot.

“You saw that on Monday, you would have thought we were the team in Folkestone’s position, we have no fear against the top sides, we thrive on that type of opposition.

“The players were under a lot of pressure today, particularly after Saturday (a 1-1 home draw with Worthing) and what’s gone on previous weeks, they knew the importance of this game.

“Folkestone had the Saturday off so were fresher but I don’t think you saw that at all in the game, the players stood up, I couldn’t fault them.”

Frannie Collin spectacularly broke the deadlock on 66 minutes volleying into the top corner after Dave Martin’s corner had found its way to him beyond the far post.

But Invicta equalised 12 minutes from time when Kieron McCann’s goalbound shot struck Tom Wynter’s hand at close range and the home side were awarded a penalty.

Referee Steven Hughes showed Wynter a red card and Ade Yusuff rubbed salt into the wounds by despatching the spot kick high away to Lenny Pidgeley’s left.

The draw was Gate's sixth in a row, meaning it's seven games without a win and Watt admits the two home matches this week against Harlow (Saturday) and Kingstonian (Tuesday) are crucial.

He added: "Games like these are tricky but we're playing teams in the lower half of the table so it's important we make it count. If we do the final three games (of the season) will take care of themselves."

Ahead of last weekend Watt added two new faces to his squad, signing keeper Louis Wells on dual registration from Concord Rangers, and midfielder Baselle Aristride, who has played for Kingstonian this season.