Keeper Chris Lewington says being able to enjoy his football again is helping bring the best out of him at Margate.

Gate boss Nikki Bull made the 27-year-old his first signing after succeeding Terry Brown in mid-December, and Kent-born Lewington says he was immediately made to feel at home at Hartsdown.

The former Dagenham and Redbridge No.1 says he would always be open to returning to the Football League, but for now, he is just relishing being part of something special at Margate.

Lewington, whose last pro club was Colchester United, explained: "I'm really enjoying it. They're a great bunch of lads, there's a great team spirit, and the manager's brilliant with me so yeah I'm really enjoying myself.

"I think it's one of the easiest adjustments I've ever made to go to a club. I just settled in straightaway. The boys are brilliant and I think when you enjoy something, you end up playing well."

Since arriving at Hartsdown Lewington has conceded just nine goals in 10 games, keeping three clean sheets, and against Basingstoke on Saturday he prevented three points becoming one by superbly saving a stoppage-time penalty.

Substitute Liam Enver-Marum's spot kick was struck well enough, but Lewington guessed right making a brilliant one-handed save away to his right to hand Gate a 2-1 win - a result which moved them up to sixth and within a point of the Vanarama National League South play-offs.

He explained: "I didn't think the penalty was a penalty. I thought it was a soft one, but the referee's given it so there's not much you can do. Fortunately I made the save and we got all three points."

Lewington says he has a "half decent" record saving penalties, adding: "I'm always positive. I always think I'm going to save it. If you don't think you're going to save it you might as well just stand with the fans.

"I just pick a way and go as big as I can and fortunately I made the save today. It wasn't a bad penalty but I'm going to blow my own trumpet and say it was a good save.

"It was my trailing hand that caught it. He just went a bit higher than I thought he was going to go but I managed to get my hand up and make the save."

Lewington's Gate deal expires at the end of the season but for now all he's interested in is helping the Blues continue their remarkable resurgence under Bull.

He added: "I'd love to be back in the Football League. That was the pinnacle growing up, where you want to be, you want to be a professional footballer.

"I enjoyed my time being a professional but I'm here at Margate. If it happens in the future fantastic, if it happens with Margate then even better. You never know."