Nikki Bull says he is continuing to take it one game at a time because he knows how quickly fortunes can change in Vanarama National League South.

The one-time keeper has taken Gate from second bottom to 10th in just a matter of weeks, but says that does not mean the threat of relegation has gone away.

Bull, whose side go in search of a fifth successive home win against 12th placed Bishop's Stortford on Saturday, explained: "I know it's a cliche but I really am taking it one game at a time.

"All my focus and energy goes on the week in hand and only once that is out of the way do I start thinking about the next game.

"We've seen ourselves how quickly things can change in this division and the biggest thing for me is to keep the players in the zone they are in at the moment so that we keep that gap between us and the clubs below us."

Bull admits his side would have to show championship form in their remaining 16 games to get anywhere near the play-offs, but he said he wouldn't put it past his players to do it.

He added: "We'd probably need to win 11 or 12 games to even get a sniff of the play-offs, but you only have to look at what's happened to Dartford (who occupy the fifth and final play-off spot).

"They were 12 points clear of us over Christmas but have lost twice in four days (this week) and now are only five points ahead of us, with only one game in hand."

Bull has done his usual thorough job researching Stortford but his hopes of watching them at Havant and Waterlooville on Tuesday were dashed when the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch - after he had made the effort to travel.

It was an hour and 20-minute journey each way, and Bull explained:"I saw a tweet at 4pm saying the game was still on and got there for around five but then I got a call from a Havant player saying it was off."

Matt Johnson returns after being left out of Saturday's superb 2-1 win against leaders Ebbsfleet, the club he signed from, while fellow midfielder David Hunt is also in contention after coming on as a sub at Stonebridge Road.

Striker Jamie Taylor has joined Gate's league rivals Eastbourne Borough on a 28-day loan but Bull says Hartsdown fans probably have not seen the last of the 33-year-old.

He explained: "Jamie does not want to leave the club nor do we want to lose him, but he pulled me a fortnight ago to ask if he could go out on loan because he felt that when he was coming on for 20 minutes as an impact sub, he wasn't doing himself justice."

Bull revealed he is also hoping to pursue his interest in Ebbsfleet winger Sean Shields but felt it best to let the dust settle after the meeting between the two clubs on Saturday.