Steve Watt believes Margate are well placed to push-on for promotion in the new year.

The Gate boss was frustrated by the postponement of Saturday’s away Bostik Premier game with Kingstonian but feels the Blues remain in a good position to challenge.

Margate stand just outside the play-off places in eighth but with games in hand on all the clubs above them bar second-placed Billericay and are unbeaten in the league since the 2-0 home defeat to Merstham in mid-October.

Watt admitted he has been hugely encouraged with how the first half of the season has gone for his new-look side.

He explained: “I’m really delighted, we’re sitting in great shape in the league.

“To go two months unbeaten is almost unheard of at this level, not just because of the number of games you have to play.

“There’s so little between the sides that it’s not unusual to win one lose one so for us to have only lost three out of 19 is a fantastic achievement by the boys, particularly given it's a brand new squad.

“The players should take great pride and belief from that and hopefully we can kick on from here.”

Watt was disappointed with the postponement of the Kingstonian game, suggesting that perhaps the decision could have been taken a bit later.

He said: “To be the only game postponed in our division and for it to have been called off so early was disappointing.

"I appreciate the need to let teams and fans know before they set off but the clubs are only two hours apart and the decision was made five hours before kick-off.

“I ended up going to Tonbridge versus Dulwich Hamlet and the pitch was perfectly fine there.”

Watt said that if there was a plus it was that his injured players got a bit more of a rest ahead of the home game against Brightlingsea on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Tom Mills, Jack Evans, Jordan Chiedozie and Tom Wynter have all been carrying niggles but Watt was hopeful the quartet would be in contention for the midweek fixture.

The Gate boss is also hoping to sign a goalkeeper on dual registration terms before Saturday's home clash with Wingate & Finchley, one of the three teams to have beaten gate in the league this season.

He explained: “I sent a text to someone I know well on the off chance he might be available and he said he was.

“He is registered with a club but he’s not played so much this year due to work commitments. He’s good, he’s proven at a higher level so hopefully we can get it done and dusted before the weekend.”