Nikki Bull says people should not under-estimate the value of Margate's opening day Vanarama National League South win over Bath City.

The 1-0 victory came courtesy of Alex Osborn's excellent 90th minute strike, and manager Bull admitted both he and his squad had been nervous ahead of the game.

Bull's starting line-up included eight debutants with two more, Marcel Barrington and Ali Fuseini coming on as substitutes.

Bull explained: "We were quite nervous as a group, and I think that showed particularly in the first half when our final ball was very poor.

"I thought our best spell was just after half time. We started on the front foot and I thought it would be a matter of time before we scored but then they came back into it . They've hit the bar and created numerous chances but the boys at the back held firm.

"I wouldn't say on the balance of play we deserved it (the win) but I was involved in enough games last season where things went against us so when you score a 90th minute winner you take it and it gives us a platform to build from.

"I'm really happy we showed a resilience and I've no doubt in my mind that we'd have lost that game last year."

Margate did not win at home in the league until November last season and Bull says with the early games coming thick and fast it was vital the Blues started well.

He added: "There are so many points up for grabs even at this stage you can't afford to start slow as we showed last year.

"It's important we continue to pick up points as we're growing. I think it took us seven or eight games to get off the mark last season so to get that monkey off our back, a home win, at the first attempt is great.

"It was good as well to show the fans that although we didn't perhaps play the best we worked hard for 90 minutes and that the success came off the back of hard work."

Gate travel to Chelmsford on Monday night and Bull says he expects the Essex side to provide a tough examination of his new-look squad.

He added: "They drew 2-2 at Truro on Saturday so they would have got back late on Saturday but they'll be a good team this year.

"They've obviously been given some more funds to spend and they've strengthened their squad. They'll believe we're a winnable game and it should be an entertaining one."

Midfielder Lewis Taylor is available again after missing the Bath game while he served the last game of a suspension carried over from last season.