Sam Blackman was sent off in relegation-threatened Margate’s latest defeat and manager Mark Stimson has conceded he needed his skipper to take more responsibility.

With Gate 2-1 down at home to Horsham last weekend, he needlessly left fellow midfielder Charlie Hester-Cook in a heap after a heavy challenge on 81 minutes - just eight minutes after teenage substitute Vinnie Bowman had got Gate back into the game. Their numerical advantage allowed the Hornets to grab a third goal seven minutes from time.

Blackman, who’s now set to serve a three-match ban, has featured only four times since Stimson took charge in December.

Stimson said: “There’s been injuries and suspensions for Sam.

“When I took over at the club, he was on nine bookings. He got his 10th and was suspended.

“Then, he played when he came back - but did his calf. Now, he’s been back in the team and has been sent-off again.

“He has got to take more responsibility at that time of the game and in that area of the pitch.

“That’s something I cannot really affect.

“It’s a massive blow but we will have to try and get around it.”

Millwall Academy trialist Bowman was again one of few bright sparks on another tough afternoon.

The striker was a late addition to Margate’s substitutes’ bench, having been due to play in Millwall under-18s’ match - only for that to be called off - and he collected a flick-on from fellow forward Steve Cawley to calmly find the bottom corner.

“He has been on trial at Millwall,” Stimson noted. “It was (initially) for a week.

“But the previous Saturday, their game was called off. He had another week with them last week - and then that was called off. But he has got a game with them on Tuesday [yesterday].

“For his age, with what he’s doing in senior football, I would be very surprised if he’s still around for too much longer.

“He can get in behind and we don't have anyone else like that, really, at the moment.”

Defeat to Horsham left Margate narrowly outside the relegation zone. With all but one of the teams below them having games in hand, that picture is likely to change before they return to competitive action.

Stimson admitted: “It’s in other teams’ hands now. They have got games in hand.

“Some are playing so, by the end of the week, we will have a better understanding of where we’re at. But we have got to win as many games as possible.

“To do that, we need to keep 11 players on the pitch and to not give silly goals away.”

A crowd of 368 braved the elements for Gate’s game against Horsham.

“The fans at Margate are unbelievable,” enthused Stimson.

“It could be quite easy - if you’re having a bad time at home - for the fans to get on your back. But they have been amazing.

“We got beaten again on Saturday and there were 75 or 80 behind the goal, clapping.

“I would still prefer to be at home because, if we can get a win, it would be great to get that at home.

“But the ones that travel, we will need them because we’re going into three tough games.”

Stimson knows plenty about weekend hosts Hashtag United, who won 4-2 at fourth-placed Billericay last weekend.

“It (Hashtag) is the nearest club to me,” explained the Margate manager, who takes his team to relegation rivals Cheshunt on Tuesday.

“I know a heck of a lot about them! Am I surprised they are doing well at this level? No.

“They have got an astro-turf and any team with pace on that can be dangerous. It’s something we have not really got. Unfortunately, the quickest ones, they are usually the most expensive ones.

“They got a great result at the weekend and will look to finish the season strong so they can make the play-offs.

“But if we can put in a performance and can keep 11 players on the pitch, we can come away with something.”

Tyrone Sterling missed Gate’s fixture against Horsham due to family commitments but the experienced defender is set to return.