Steve Watt says Margate's performance in losing to promotion-chasing Chelmsford was a step in the right direction.

The Blues went down 2-0 at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday - their 18th straight defeat in Vanarama National League South - but new boss Watt says the display was a distinct improvement on the showing against Whitehawk at the weekend.

That game - his first in charge - also finished 2-0 and Watt explained: "It was the same result but a completely different performance.

"We weren't very good on Saturday but Tuesday was a step in the right direction. I saw different sides of people and there were definitely encouraging signs.

"Chelmsford probably deserved to win but we were a lot better defensively, we should have had the first goal, 100%, and we competed well.

"We looked a threat going forward on occasions and made it difficult for one of the top sides in the division.

"Myself, Steve and Mike (coaches Steve Brown and Mike Sandmann) all came away feeling much more positive."

Tuesday's defeat left Blues, the bottom club, 11 points behind Whitehawk, who are just outside the relegation zone, and still chasing their first win since October.

They are without a league goal since New Year's Day, but Watt says he will encourage his players to play with freedom in the remaining weeks of the campaign.

He added: "Everyone outside the club thinks we're an easy three points and that we're already down so that means there's no pressure on us but we're not going to get anything from teams sitting back.

"Against Whitehawk I thought we looked like a team trying not to lose, rather than one that was trying to win and we've got to change that mentality. I want us to take games to teams."

Loan signings, defender Marvin Hamilton (Whitehawk) and winger Jeffrey Monakana (Sutton) both came in for their debuts against Chelmsford while experienced former Ebbsfleet full-back Aiden Palmer started his first game having been an unused sub on Saturday.

Watt felt all three acquitted themselves well and the Gate boss - due to take his first training session on Thursday - has not ruled out bringing in further new faces ahead of Saturday's trip to 18th placed Concord Rangers where winger Matty Fanimo could return to the squad.

In the meantime former Eastleigh striker Reece Connolly has been released and midfielder Scott Donnelly has been allowed to go out on loan to Farnborough.