Margate manager Nikki Bull has jumped to the defence of keeper Valery Pajetat whose error handed Poole their opening goal in Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Hartsdown.

The experienced Cameroonian was also at fault with two of the goals in the 3-0 home defeat to Bishop’s Stortford a week earlier, but boss Bull says he fully expects him to bounce back.

Bull explained: “Val came in and was exceptional for us in the first three or four weeks after he signed so we know what he’s capable of.

“Unfortunately on Saturday it was a bad error. I know the sun was a bit of an issue but the ball was was going straight at him.

“I think he got caught in two minds, about whether to catch or parry it and in the end he’s just pushed it in.

“Since he’s been here he’s been superb, it’s just that in the last two games his mistakes have cost us points but I’m not pointing the finger at him. He’s a good character and I expect him to come back stronger.”

Bull admitted Steve Devlin’s 33rd minute strike – from Poole’s first real shot on target -– temporarily knocked the stuffing out of his side, but he was delighted with the way they responded in the second half.

He felt the Blues were denied a clear penalty when substitute Matthias Fanimo went down in the box after 77 minutes, and Poole then rubbed salt into their wounds when Devlin netted his second, from the spot in the last minute.

The penalty was awarded for a handball by Ryan Richefond, who was also sent off, but Bull claimed the ball struck the young midfielder in the midriff.

He explained: “It just seems to be par for the course at the moment. I am at a complete loss to explain how the referee did not give the penalty when Matty was fouled.

"He was about to shoot, and he certainly didn’t just fall over but as much as people tell me afterwards, that the boys put everything into it again and showed a lot of spirit it’s another loss.”

One big plus for Bull was another cameo from winger Fanimo, who he believes is getting better with every game after returning from an Achilles injury which had kept him sidelined since July.

He added: “Matty is still a long way off where he needs to be fitness wise, which isn’t his fault, but in the last two games when he’s come on he’s had a real impact. When he puts the after burners on no-one can live with him."

Bull gave a debut to 19-year-old attacking midfielder Fumnaya Shomotun after signing him on a 28-day loan from League 2 Barnet but full-back Tommy Cooney has left the club to play in Wales.

Meanwhile midfielder Scott Donnelly could be looking at another operation on his knee after returning to his consultant last week.