Manager Reece Prestedge was encouraged by Margate’s performance against Isthmian Premier leaders Bishop’s Stortford.

Gate gave a good account of themselves in a 1-0 defeat at Hartsdown Park on Saturday.

A goal was the only thing lacking in a bright display which showed 16th-placed Gate can compete with the top sides.

“We were really unfortunate not to come away with anything,” said Prestedge.

“I said to the players before the game there’s no pressure on us, no one expects us to win anyway, and we’ve gone out there and competed with the league leaders.

“We’ve got to be pleased with our performance from where we were four or five weeks ago.”

Margate, who go to Herne Bay tonight, started well against Stortford, the club where Prestedge made his name as a player.

The leaders grew into it, scoring shortly before the break through Chris Harris, and managed to hold on in the second half.

Prestedge said: “We looked good in the first 10 or 15 minutes - we were on top, I would say - and then the game switched and we struggled for a while.

“They had more of the ball, they were moving it around well and they were dominant for a good 30 minutes.

“Second half, it was pretty even game. We competed well and had the better chances.”

Prestedge has lifted morale at Hartsdown Park since taking the reins, initially in a caretaker capacity alongside Ben Greenhalgh.

The squad are in a good place going into the game at relegation battlers Herne Bay.

That's followed by play-off contenders Carshalton at home on Saturday, a side managed by ex-Gate player-coach Steve McKimm.

“We’ve got a good changing room, team spirit is high,” said Prestedge.

“Everyone’s fighting for each other and you need that. A good changing room is worth 12 to 15 points a season.

“We wanted to instil a bit of stability and I think we’ve done that.

“We were conceding way too many goals, but we’re looking more organised now and we’re capable of changing shape.

"Herne Bay won't be easy. They're fighting to stay up and, as I've said before, there's no easy rides in this league.

"It's probably one of the toughest games. We've got to go there with the right attitude and keep doing what we've been doing in recent weeks.

“We’re looking forward to Carshalton. They’ve got a very experienced side and a lot of quality and Steve McKimm is a very good manager.

“We’ve got a tough run-in but from where we were to how we are now, I’m quite confident we can finish the season well.

“I’m setting targets for every four games of how many points I think we can get, which is good because the players know where we want to be."

Prestedge is enjoying his first crack at management.

It came sooner than expected but the 37-year-old has thrown himself into it.

He’s been able to draw on advice from ex-Gate boss Jay Saunders, a man he played under at both Hartsdown Park and, before that, Maidstone.

“I learned a lot from Jay,” said Prestedge. “Some of the techniques he used in team-talks, I’ve gone with.

“I still speak to him a lot, which helps me out massively.

“We have chats and stuff and it’s nice to have people you can phone to get their take on things.”