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Margate manager Nikki Bull admits it was a big relief to beat Hemel Hempstead and hailed the contributions of Daniel Akindayini and Danny Fitzsimons

Nikki Bull admitted his overriding emotion after Margate had come from behind to beat Hemel Hempstead was relief.

With 22 minutes of Saturday's Vanarama National League South game remaining the Gate trailed before goals from Elliott Buchanan and Daniel Akindayini turned the game on its head.

The 2-1 victory came on the back of successive league defeats and lifted the Blues up to 14th, giving them a welcome lift ahead of Tuesday's vital FA Cup replay at Hastings.

Daniel Akindayini curls home Margate's winner against Hemel Hempstead. Picture: Don Walker
Daniel Akindayini curls home Margate's winner against Hemel Hempstead. Picture: Don Walker

Boss Bull admitted: "I think the overriding emotion is relief, what with everything that's going on at the club. Just to get three points and send everyone home happy is great.

"This was a game we had to get something from but you're looking at it with 25 minutes to go (when Gate were still behind to James Potton's 49th minute strike) and you're starting to think that's three defeats in a row and no goals scored, with a tricky cup tie at Hastings to come.

"Then 20 minutes later you're sitting there it's three points, all the bottom clubs have lost and now you've got that nice bit of breathing space. To bank three points means we can now concentrate on a huge week for the club.

"I did think it was going to be one of those disappointing afternoons especially when Elliott Buchanan hit the post just after they had scored, but the boys' character came through.

"They pulled it out of the fire just as they had done against Hastings on the Tuesday (Margate were 2-0 down before coming back to draw 2-2) and it ticks a box because as a team we'd not come from behind to win so if we go behind in the future, there should not be any self doubt because we've done it against a good team."

Bull said Akindayini's goal was reward for having to play out of position in recent weeks, and he also praised defender Danny Fitzsimons, who produced an outstanding display in defence in what was only his third start for the Gate since joining in the summer.

The former Luton man had been on loan at Greenwich Borough but was recalled to the starting line-up in place of Yado Mambo, who dropped to the bench.

Bull said: "I thought Danny was brilliant. He's someone who I asked to go out on loan to Greenwich to get games because the boy's had two serious, horrific knee injuries.

"I just felt the one thing lacking (from his game) was match sharpness so he went to Greenwich.He played eight, won eight while he was there. I watched him a couple of times and he wants it more than anyone I've ever come across in football.

"The boy's got desire - he's a winner. You could see today. He's not the tallest for a centre-half but he calls for the ball and he'll go and win it. I don't how he didn't win man-of-the-match (the sponsors' award went to Alex Osborn), I thought he was the stand-out performer among many good displays."

Of Akindayini he added: "That's both games we've won when he's actually started up front because he also started up front against Bishop's Stortford (where Gate won 2-0)with Michael Thalassitis.

"I said to Dan before the game that he deserved his place up front because he's been out on the right, out on the left, doing the job because of injuries. Today he's had his chance and hopefully that goal will give him confidence."

Bull was again without a host of players through injury and revealed that right-back Chris Sessegnon had opted to stay on despite picking up a hamstring problem after 20 minutes.

He added: "At half-time I've said to Sess 'You're going to have to come off,' but he said 'No I'll just get through the game,' because we have no one to come on and cover."

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