Midfielder Sam Blackman has been praised by Margate manager Reece Prestedge after clocking up a significant club milestone.

Blackman made his 100th Gate appearance in their 2-2 Isthmian Premier draw with Lewes on Saturday, as did player-assistant manager Ben Greenhalgh.

It was an occasion he marked in style, too, with Blackman breaking the deadlock after only three minutes with his fifth goal of the season.

Gate have responded after a three-game losing run, which included two matches Blackman missed due to suspension, with four points from their last two games. Blackman netted in each of those fixtures.

Prestedge said: “Blacky is quite an important player for us, not just playing, but he’s a big voice on the pitch, demanding more from the players and driving them on.

“It shows when we do miss him in certain games.

"It’s nice to have him back and playing in an XI which is clicking.”

Forward Ruben Soares-Junior also netted for the hosts while Tyrique Hyde and ex-Margate striker Joe Taylor replied - all inside the opening 35 minutes at Hartsdown Park.

Prestedge said: “We probably could have nicked it and we created enough chances but overall it was probably a fair result.”

Margate have now moved 11 points clear of the relegation zone with just 12 points left to play for this term.

While they’re all-but safe, Prestedge reiterated a desire to reach the 50-point mark, which would mean they’ll need another six points.

“We still have a target we want to hit,” he stated. “We want to get to 50 points if we can.

“We feel we can do well in the next four games and, hopefully, we can get the points as well.”

Margate visit Haringey this Friday before an Easter Monday home Kent derby against Folkestone.

Invicta beat Gate 4-0 at Cheriton Road when they met earlier in the season - the first fixture in charge for Prestedge alongside Greenhalgh.

Gate’s boss said: “There’s always a decent crowd when it comes to Kent derbies.

"I feel more and more people are coming along for the home games, as well, just adding that voice on the side.”

While striker Phil Roberts sustained an ankle problem against Lewes, there’s better news on the returns of defenders Harry Hudson, Taylor Fisher and Harrison Hatfull, along with midfielder Ade Cole.

Prestedge explained: “Harry is not too far away, to be honest. Harrison might also be back but it’s a tough one with cracked ribs.

“Taylor has been doing a lot of gym work and Ade could be back before the end of the week.”

Their under-23s fell to a 3-2 defeat to Deal Reserves as the holders bowed out of the Kent Intermediate Cup at the Semi-Final stage last Tuesday.