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Margate manager Nikki Bull praises his squad's mentality after Vanarama National League South win over Basingstoke

Manager Nikki Bull hailed Margate's 2-1 home win over Basingstoke as the most satisfying since he took charge at Hartsdown Park.

A debut double from Brighton loanee Daniel Akindayini paved the way in the first half with keeper Chris Lewington then saving a stoppage-time penalty to secure the points.

The win was Gate's seventh in the 10 matches since Bull succeeded Terry Brown and remarkably moved them to within one point of the Vanarama National League South play-offs.

Chris Lewington Picture: Martin Apps
Chris Lewington Picture: Martin Apps

Under Bull Gate have beaten the top two, Ebbsfleet United and Maidstone United, plus fourth-placed Gosport, but the Blues manager said the victory over relegation-threatened Basingstoke was just as significant.

He added: "That was the most satisfying three points since I've been in charge at the club. I just felt that Hayes away last week, and Basingstoke this, the teams that are fourth bottom and second bottom, they're the games that really test your credentials.

"It's all right going to Ebbsfleet and winning, it's all right beating Maidstone and Gosport at home, but these are the games where, if there is any chink in your armour mentally it will be exposed.

"If you're not up for it in any shape or form you'll get beat so I'm just delighted that in the past week we've put another six points on the board and I'm really, really delighted with everyone in the dressing room."

Bull was pleased to see loan signing Akindayini hit the ground running with two goals in the opening 38 minutes. He and Freddie Ladapo caused all sorts of problems for the Basingstoke defence until Akindayini was substituted with a slight knock in the 63rd minute.

Bull said of the 20-year-old: "It was a great debut for Daniel and obviously I'm delighted with him but we had to take him off because he got injured.

"He went in for a block tackle and just jarred his knee slightly so although he wanted to stay on obviously he's not our player and I don't want to get into trouble with Brighton!

"He'll go back to them Monday and be be treated and hopefully he'll be good to go next Saturday (when Margate travel to Chelmsford City)."

Bull admitted Basingstoke had his side under pressure at times in the second half, but he felt it would have been unjust if his side hadn't taken all three points. He also paid tribute to keeper Lewington for his penalty heroics.

He explained: "I know they had a couple of chances in the second half but it would have been a travesty if that that penalty had taken the victory away from us.

"It was a fantastic save (by Lewington). That's 10 games I've been in charge now and he's played every minute of every game and he's been brilliant.

"I said at the time when I got the (manager's) job I needed to make sure that I had a goalkeeper who was more than capable and he shows it week in week out. We're lucky to have him and he came up with the goods again today."

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