Nikki Bull has described Margate's next two fixtures in Vanarama National League South as 'absolutely massive.'

The Gate boss regards himself as one of life's optimists but admits that the Blues are fast approaching the point of no return in their battle to avoid the drop.

Bottom of the table after a demoralising run of 14 successive defeats, Margate host Wealdstone on Saturday before a trip to East Thurrock United on Tuesday.

Both sides are mid-table and while Bull says that doesn't mean they should be taken lightly, he does concede that these are the type of matches his side need to target for points.

Bull explained: "Given the position we find ourselves in I don't think we can look at any game and say it's one we should definitely be winning but the next two games are absolutely massive.

"If we were to take four points from the two it would give everyone at the club a big lift, players, staff and supporters.

"It goes without saying we need to start picking up points because it's getting to the stage where, if we don't, it (staying up) might start looking beyond us."

Bull admits a lack of firepower has been one of his biggest problems - the fact that Margate have scored just three times during their long losing run bears that out - and on Friday he brought in former Eastleigh and Whitehawk striker Reece Connolly.

Connolly, 25, was a scholar at Aldershot which is where he and Bull's paths first crossed.

He has also played for Farnborough and Basingstoke but had an enforced absence from the game in 2014 when he was given a six-month ban after testing positive for cocaine and marijuana.

Margate have also confirmed the signing - on an initial month's loan - of Reading keeper Lewis Ward, who played 16 times for the Blues earlier in the season before a quad injury forced his return to the Madejski Stadium.

They received a further boost when the Royals agreed to extend midfielder Harrison Bennett's loan at Hartsdown for another month.