Player-manager Ben Greenhalgh thinks Margate may need to show a different side to their game in the next two matches.

Isthmian South East Gate, held to a goalless weekend FA Cup first qualifying round draw at home to Hayes & Yeading, are due to face Hayes & Yeading again tonight in a replay before an FA Trophy first qualifying round tie at Hanworth Villa this Saturday.

Both opponents play on grass surfaces.

Ex-Dartford keeper Mark Smith, defender Ali Mansaray, also formerly at Dartford, ex-Dover and Maidstone defender Manny Parry and Sam Merson - the son of Arsenal legend Paul Merson - are among Hanworth Villa’s squad.

“I know a little bit about Hanworth,” said Greenhalgh. “There’s an ex-Dartford team-mate of mine, Mark Smith, who is still there. It’s going to be a difficult test.

“We have not played on a grass pitch yet this season. But we played on them in pre-season and we have now got two games on grass. We might have to adapt ourselves.

“You cannot always play the way we have done so we might need to change our style up.

“Within those four days, we could get through to the next round of the FA Cup and the FA Trophy.

“It’s slightly frustrating that we have got a replay on Tuesday. But Hanworth are in the same situation.

“It’s a good opportunity to have a rest from the league.

“We can take our minds off of the league and just see how we go this week.”

While Gate play on an artificial surface at Hartsdown Park, they played two pre-season friendlies on grass this summer, winning 3-2 at Corinthian and 2-1 at Westfield.

“We scored five goals in those two games during pre-season,” recalled Greenhalgh, whose troops will return to league action at home to Deal next Tuesday. “It might give a bit of confidence to some of our players.

“When you look at Ibz (Ibrahim Olutade) and Lukas (Franzen-Jones), they were used to playing on grass last season. Maybe, they can get on a bit of a run before we’re back at home in the league on Tuesday.

“We will have to change things up a little bit. But we’re looking forward to it. They’re going to be different tests.

“From a management perspective, I’m excited to see how we get on.”

It was a similar tale for Margate and Greenhalgh as they were held to a third goalless home draw of the season already in front of a 402-strong crowd at Hartsdown Park.

Lukas Franzen-Jones failed to convert a first-half penalty after defender Kai Garande had been fouled - and Franzen-Jones also had a goal ruled out after a corner had gone straight in - but Gate had to settle for a draw.

Greenhalgh reflected: “It was very positive but, obviously, the disappointing factor from Saturday was again, it finished 0-0 at home. It was probably one of the more entertaining 0-0 matches to watch.

“We put on a really good attacking show and moved the ball around really well.

“We had the ball in the back of the net but it was disallowed. It’s just frustrating that, come Monday, we were not in the hat on our own.

“But we have got an away game in the replay now.”

At the other end, however, Margate have already kept four clean sheets - the same amount they kept all last term!

“That’s been the best side of things for us this season,” admitted Greenhalgh.

“The majority of teams that are successful have got good defensive records. That’s something we had to get right - and we have got right.

“The funny thing is Tom Wray is probably a bit bored at times! He doesn’t have a lot to do at the moment but he’s effective when he needs to be.

“He’s claiming the ball brilliantly.

“But, at the same time, he’s not getting much action, which is a good thing from a team point of view.”

Back-to-back away cup ties will mean plenty of travelling for the Margate faithful.

Greenhalgh said: “The fans have been absolutely brilliant.

“From an outside perspective, you might see ‘0-0’ and think that it’s not going well. But the fans have been really positive. To be honest, they’re seeing a lot of us attacking.

“We see a lot of the same fans week-in, week-out, at the away games.

“We don’t all live in Margate but, for those that do live in Margate, it can be a four-hour or five-hour round trip for some of the away games.

“At the end of the day, they’re the ones that support us and keep us going.”

Margate will face an FA Cup second qualifying round trip to Bognor Regis, should they progress through from their midweek replay at Hayes & Yeading.