Margate manager Terry Brown admits his players will have revenge on their minds when they travel to crisis-club St Albans City in Vanarama National League South on Saturday.

The Saints saw joint managers James Gray and Graham Golds resign after fast weekend's 4-0 FA Trophy defeat to Lowestoft and they were followed out of the door on Wednesday by long-serving secretary Steve Eames who had enjoyed a 25-year association with the club.

The Hertfordshire club are next to bottom with just 13 points and 13 goals to show from their opening 17 matches though one of their three wins - and their only one away from home - did come at Hartsdown Park in September when a 52nd minute effort from Louie Theophanous proved decisive.

Brown remembers that afternoon well and feels his players definitely Saturday's opponents one. He said: "We played them at home and absolutely battered them but they nicked a 1-0 win so we'll be looking to exact a bit of revenge.

"They robbed us on that occasion so we need to go and make sure we don't make the same mistake again."

Brown admitted he was surprised to see the Saints' management team of Gray and Golds go and feels they will be a hard act to follow. First team coach Harry Wheeler took charge for Tuesday's 5-0 win over Oxhey Jets in the Herts Senior Cup and is likely to stay in charge for the weekend.

Brown said: "It surprised me a bit (the resignations) since they'd done a fantastic job. They got promotion but it's a big jump coming up from either the Evostick or the Ryman as we've found. I think they are going to miss those two because they were two really hard working guys."

The St Albans game is one of only two Gate have before Christmas - the other is at home to Gosport on December 19 - and Brown admits he is looking for his side to kickstart their campaign over the festive period when they face derbies against Dartford and Maidstone (twice). They will go into Saturday's game lying 17th with just four wins from 18 matches.

Midfielder David Hunt is available again after suspension but Luke Moore (swollen ankle) remains a doubt and Brown will have to take a check on centre-half Brett Johnson, who has an ongoing lower back problem.