Mike Sandmann brought in one fresh face and hinted others could follow as he attempts to reinvigorate Margate's attack after three games without a goal.

The Gate joint boss said his team did ‘everything but score’ in Saturday’s 1-0 Bostik Premier defeat to Lewes at Hartsdown Park and is keen to avoid a repeat in the home FA Cup first qualifying round tie with Horndean.

The Lewes game marked the return to the club of young striker Sid Sollis, and on Monday Sandmann and co-manager Steve Brown signed 22-year-old winger George Brown on a month's loan from League 2 Colchester United.

Sandmann explained: "We need more attacking options and George will help us in that respect. I know his agent well and Browny has also seen him play. He's a wide player who is quick and wants to take players on.

"He wants to improve so he needs to get out and play and Colchester were very accommodating in getting the deal done. I'm hoping to get at least another one or two done before the weekend."

Sollis is back at Hartsdown after a short spell with East Grinstead and Sandmann admits the management had never really wanted to lose him in the first place.

He added: "We tried to keep him at the end of last season but we understood his reasons for going because at the time he was disappointed he wasn't getting as many opportunities as he would have liked.

"I was informed after the bank holiday (August 27) that he wanted to get out of East Grinstead because it wasn't what he had been expecting and we are glad to have him back.

"We've told him that he's not guaranteed to play every week but if he works hard and does the right things he will get more chances."

The Gate fell behind to a James Hammond free-kick in the first half of the Lewes game but were denied an equaliser on a number of occasions by keeper Lewis Carey, whose heroics included a 70th minute penalty save from Frannie Collin.

Sandmann explained: "We did everything but score, you name it, we did it. Naturally the players were disappointed but as we said to them afterwards we'd be more concerned if we weren't creating chances.

"At the moment we don't think our performances are getting the results we deserve but it's not like things are coming to a head. However we've also said to the players there are only so many times we can say the same things."

Saturday's cup opponents Horndean play in the Sydenham's Wessex League, Premier Division, and Sandmann admits his side should start as favourites.

He added: "I see they won 5-0 on Saturday so obviously they're capable of scoring goals but really it's about what we do."

Defender Liam Friend could be a doubt after coming off with a hamstring problem against Lewes. Meanwhile Gate defender Ben Fitchett has joined Sittingbourne on a dual registration deal and young striker Samuel Akinde has been released.