Steve Watt admits Margate have no option but to go for the throat against Bostik Premier title favourites Billericay at Hartsdown Park on Saturday.

The Gate surrendered a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Staines on Saturday, and with just one win in their last 10 games their play-off spot looks increasingly vulnerable.

Watt is confident they can still finish in the top five, but admits they probably need to beat Billericay, who sit top one point clear of Dulwich Hamlet, to whom Margate travel on the final day of the regular season, April 28.

The Gate boss said: “The players were told on Saturday that if we are going to make the play-offs now it will probably will need a big slice of luck but I genuinely believe we are capable of beating Billericay and Dulwich Hamlet.

“They won’t fancy having to come here to win the league on Saturday and nor will Dulwich want to be in the same position the week after.

“Clubs don’t like playing us because we are difficult to beat.

“We definitely need to win one of the last two games (to make the play-offs) and I think we have to go for the throat against Billericay.

“They will have had a tough week (they won 1-0 at Dorking Wanderers on Tuesday and host Needham Market on Thursday) so we need to start on the front foot.”

Goals from defenders Jack Evans and Liam Friend put the Gate in control at Staines but Elliot Buchanan’s 82nd minute goal gave the hosts a lifeline and Watt says he could almost have predicted the equaliser which came a minute from time from Mo Bettamer.

“Groundhog Day is probably the best way to describe it,” admitted Watt who added that his team have now conceded goals in the 85th minute or later on eight occasions this season.

“It’s been a recurring theme all season, and I think it’s got into the players’ minds. We were in complete control on Saturday, it looked like it was going to be three or four but when they scored we went into our shell and you could almost see the goal coming.”

Watt reckons his side would be challenging for the title without all the late goals they have conceded but says the squad deserve credit for hanging on in there.

He added: “When you look at all the injuries and more recently the suspensions we’ve had the fact that we are still in there fighting shows the character of the boys."

Defenders Tom Mills and George Essuman both return after suspension for the weekend but centre-half Ben Swift’s red card in the 2-0 home defeat to Kingstonian last Tuesday means he will not play again this season unless Margate reach the play-off final.