Margate manager Nikki Bull has revealed he held one-to-one meetings with all of his players after Saturday's disappointing home performance against Oxford City.

The 2-0 defeat at Hartsdown Park was Margate's fourth in a row, dropping them down to 11th in Vanarama National League South.

That spell followed a seven-game unbeaten run - six of which were wins - and Bull says he was keen to ask the players what they thought had caused the downturn in form

Bull spoke to the players at training on Tuesday and said it proved a constructive exercise.

He explained: "Every player had five to 10 minutes of open and frank discussion.

"We talked about things in general but more specifically I wanted to try and get a handle on why we had gone from winning six out of seven to losing four on the spin. I told them what I thought and they said what they thought.

"Football management is not just about shouting and hollering, or throwing teacups around. It's a lot more detailed these days and whatever walk of life you are in you have got to have open lines of communication."

Bull, whose own future at Hartsdown remains unresolved beyond the end of this season, says he fully expects a positive response from his players on Saturday when they host 17th placed Hayes and Yeading - a side they beat 2-0 away in February.

He added: "I definitely expect a reaction because, if nothing else, we owe the fans a performance."

Meanwhile Bull has revealed that striker Freddie Ladapo is continuing to train with Barclays Premier League side Crystal Palace and he believes the striker is doing his chances of a move no harm at all.

The Gate boss watched his No.9 hit a hat-trick as Palace's under-21s beat Watford 5-0 at St Albans on Monday night and he said his phone has been busy with inquiries from clubs since.

"Fred's all-round game on the night was excellent and there were around 25 scouts there watching. I said to Fred in January (when several clubs were interested in signing him) that if he stayed there would be better offers around the corner and so it's proved."

For the visit of Hayes Gate will be without defender Glenn Wilson, who serves a one-game suspension as a result of his red card at Maidenhead.

There are also doubts over Lewis Taylor's availability because the club are still waiting to learn what he will be charged with following his sending-off at Sutton on February 27.

Margate this week lost their appeal against Jake Goodman's red card against Oxford City and he will now serve a three-match ban starting with the game against Wealdstone on March 26.