Skipper Ben Greenhalgh has been praised by Margate manager Andy Drury.

The experienced midfielder once again has been in good goal-scoring form for Gate this season, netting nine times.

He got his second brace of the campaign in a recent Kent Senior Cup 3-0 win over Isthmian South East Sheppey.

Drury said: “They were two good goals from Ben. He has that in his locker.

“He has got a lot of goals for us this season and is doing well. He’s a good character in the dressing room and a good leader for the boys.

“They all know what he can produce. He brings the best out of the boys and himself as well.”

Against Sheppey, two of Margate’s young prospects, Rory Sutcliffe and George Adams, were handed first-team opportunities. Both came on in the second half.

Drury said: “It’s nice to be in a position to try and progress the youth. I can see what talent there is.

“Hopefully we can give more playing time [to them] over the course of the season.

“It’s nice to give young players their debuts, but they haven’t been given it for no reason. They have deserved it and they are being rewarded.”

Margate are now in the quarter-finals of the Kent Senior Cup and also progressed into the last eight of the Velocity Cup with a 1-0 home win on Tuesday over rivals Folkestone after a free weekend.

Midfielder James Bessey-Saldanha guided them on their way to a fifth straight victory before Folkestone's Robbie Dolan was sent off alongside Margate midfielder Ade Cole.

Drury wants to go as far as possible in both competitions, saying: “Some clubs have been inundated with games, we have not.

“We didn’t have runs in the FA Cup or FA Trophy, we were quite unlucky with the draws really.

“We’re trying to add to the group at the moment. We want to win every game and see how far we can progress in those competitions.”

Mid-table Gate this Saturday are at play-off occupants Bishop’s Stortford at the start of a tricky run of fixtures.

“We have got a few tough games - Bishop’s Stortford, Billericay and Potters Bar. They are all up there,” Drury said.

“It will be nice to pick up some results. It will be a good indicator of where we can go in the season.

“I feel we can see where we can go this season in these games.”

Cole is available to face Bishop's Stortford but then is due to serve a three-match ban.