Ben Greenhalgh is delighted with how Margate have come through a hectic start to their season.

Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to fellow promotion-chasing Isthmian South East side Burgess Hill was their 25th fixture in all competitions so far.

But under player-manager Greenhalgh, Margate find themselves well-placed in the play-off positions, having only lost one league match this term, while they progressed to the FA Cup third qualifying round.

Their weekend draw ended a five-match winning league run after victories at Deal and Broadbridge Heath earlier this month.

Greenhalgh said: “We have done well recently.

"We have had a lot of away games. It’s just a case of getting the points on the board.

"That’s 16 points from our last six league games, which is a really good return.

“We have got some big games coming up against the likes of Sittingbourne in a couple of weeks’ time and Ramsgate. But how teams do well in this league is more to do with how they do in the other games.

“We’ve played 25 games, which is just outrageous! It feels funny because we don’t have a league game on a Tuesday before the end of the season now.

“We have come through a big period really well. We have had an FA Cup run, we played a few games in the Kent Senior Cup in that period, and we’re doing well in the league.

"We’re positive and we haven’t got any serious injuries. Saturday was the first time we only had three [fit substitutes], one being a goalkeeper, who could come on.

"But the good thing is we don’t have any long-term injuries.”

Top scorer Ibrahim Olutade looked to have set Gate on the way with his 14th goal this season in the 71st minute but the Hillians levelled with two minutes left.

“It was probably the game we had expected,” Greenhalgh said. “Burgess Hill are tough opponents and they’re still the only team to have beaten us in the league this season.

“Tactically in the first half, we dropped off them too much. They played some good football, they didn’t cause Tom Wray too many problems, but they definitely played better football.

“At half-time, we changed a couple of things and it worked really well. We got a goal and looked like scoring more, but there weren’t too many chances because you could see it was two good sides.

“Then, they got a goal at the back post, which was a little disappointing. But we kept the unbeaten run going and we’re unbeaten at home this season.

“We got a point out of it and they didn’t gain any ground.”

Margate’s match came after a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Deal last midweek. Harvey Brand got the only goal before Tom Wray saved an Archie Hatcher penalty, Greenhalgh himself clearing a last-gasp effort off the line.

He said: “They have got their long throw and they generally do well at home.

"It was a similar situation to Saturday where we were 1-0 up and they still felt they had a chance - and went for it. Their keeper had a shot and I cleared one off the line onto the crossbar in the same passage of play.

"It’s not just on Tom to defend, although he did save a penalty.”

Next up for Gate is an away fixture with Sussex side Three Bridges on Saturday - albeit they won’t be leaving the county to face them.

Greenhalgh said: “We’re happy because it’s at Chatham. They’re playing at their ground until Christmas.

“It’s a little more local to us and on a 3G pitch, which we’re used to.

"But I’m not saying that will give us too much of an advantage because they’ll be used to playing there.

“They’re a respected team in this division. Just like Deal had been, they will be desperate to get something out of it, with it being the second double-header we’ve had in quick succession.

“Since we played them [winning 2-0 at home], they have only played four games - we have played nine!

“But, hopefully, this week off means our players are ready to go.”

Margate visit Ashford in the Velocity Cup on Tuesday.