Margate host high-flying St Albans on Saturday with manager Nikki Bull admitting there is no getting away from the fact the Blues are in a relegation battle.

A run of six straight defeats has left the Gate one place and one point outside the Vanarama National League South drop zone which is currently occupied by Bishop's Stortford, Weston-super-Mare and Welling United.

Concord Rangers - 5-1 victors at Hartsdown in October - are immediately above Gate, four points clear, and Bull believes it is the teams in the bottom five at the moment who will battle it out between now and May.

He added: "For us now it's all about survival. Some fans will say that's pretty gloomy but we have to be realistic.

"I think even at this stage it's three from five, looking at the other clubs' profiles, finances and the knowledge I have of this league.

"We're in a mini league of five and we need to finish first or second in that league to stay up."

Gate - whose last win was against Hemel Hempstead on October 8 - lost 2-0 away to runaway leaders Maidenhead last weekend and on Saturday host second-placed St Albans but Bull says the Christmas double-header with Kent rivals Welling is far more significant.

He added: "I know Saturday was another defeat, and it's tough at the moment, but the games against Maidenhead and St Albans aren't the ones which will define our season.

"It will be those games against the sides in and around us which is why the double header with Welling (the teams play on December 26 and January 1) is so important.

"People keep saying a couple of wins and we'll be all right but it won't be easy because no points get given to you in this division and we're now operating with a budget far lower than most of the clubs at this level and some below us. We've gone from shopping at Harrods to the food bank."

For the visit of Ian Allinson's high-flying St Albans Alfie Foster is likely to be sidelined by the ankle injury he sustained at Maidenhead, while defenders Tariq Moore-Azille and Nathan Fox are both poised for their home debuts.

Matty Fanimo is still continuing his recovery from the Achilles injury he picked up pre-season and while Bull would not be drawn on the matter, the winger's chances of ever starting a first team game for the Blues would appear to be receding.