A 16-year-old made a positive impression off the Margate bench as they were knocked out of the FA Cup.

With Gate already 2-0 down at Chesham United in their Third Qualifying Round tie last weekend, Vinnie Bowman was given a chance by boss Reece Prestedge, joining experienced Steve Cawley up front, and certainly didn’t disappoint.

Prestedge said: “I was really pleased with Vinnie.

“He came on, worked his socks off, was brave in possession and it took a 16-year-old to do that when other players didn’t really do it.

“He played up there with Steve and took his opportunity really well.”

Bowman also came off the bench as the holders’ Kent Senior Cup defence came to an end at the first hurdle at Hythe last Tuesday, losing 2-1, while fellow youngsters George Hunt and Rory Sutcliffe started at Reachfields.

“You don’t want to go out in the First Round of anything,” said Prestedge, who saw player-coach Phil Roberts get their goal.

“But we had to change things around, looking ahead to Saturday’s game.”

Roberts started at Chesham but came off after 12 minutes with a hamstring injury.

Prestedge said: “It’s part and parcel of it.

“You do all the preparation work, decide your formation and what way you sort of want to go. I think we were on top when Robbo went off and then we had to change things.

“We’ll just have to assess him on Thursday and see how he’s feeling but it doesn’t seem to be a good one.”

The high-flying Southern Premier South hosts went ahead eight minutes before half-time and added a 48th-minute second.

Gate are again up against Southern Premier South opposition when they visit fourth-bottom Harrow in the FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round this Saturday.

Prestedge, whose side last played at home competitively on September 16, joked: “We have played three teams in that league - we might as well be in that league!

“But we’ll do our homework, prepare on Thursday and, hopefully, get back on track.”

The winners will pocket £2,450.

Midfielder Godfrey Poku is available after being ineligible to play in the FA Cup.