Margate manager Reece Prestedge urges out-of-form players to string 90-minute performances together consistently ahead of Isthmian Premier trips to Bognor Regis Town and Enfield Town

Manager Reece Prestedge has urged Margate’s out-of-form players to string together complete 90-minute performances consistently - and concedes they must start doing so quickly.

Gate are only four points clear of the Isthmian Premier relegation zone after they lost 3-1 at home to promotion-chasing Billericay on Saturday, despite striker Steve Cawley’s second-half penalty.

For Margate, who also lost 1-0 at Horsham in the league last Tuesday, it was a third successive defeat which extended their winless streak to five matches.

Reflecting on their recent poor form, Gate’s boss said: “The performances have been all right.

“Unfortunately, the defensive side let us down on Saturday. But we have spoken about it and they know.

“We just need a complete performance, if I’m honest. We just need our performance to be the same in the first half and the second half, and we need to be good on the ball attacking-wise and good defensively.

“Everything just needs to mould together - and it’s got to happen quite quickly because things in football can quickly change.”

Margate will now look to start turning their fortunes around on the road. They visit another side in the play-off places, Enfield, this Saturday, having been due to travel to Bognor Regis tonight.

Prestedge said: “To be fair to our fans, they have still been brilliant, cheering the boys on. They get loud for us.

“Even when we’re away, we do get a little bunch that come away and they’re brilliant. They’re there for every away game.

“We just need to go into these away games, be confident and start picking up some results.

“If you win on Tuesday and win on Saturday, then you’re back up in the mix of it.”

Prestedge was disappointed with his side’s defending against Billericay,