Manager Mark Stimson thinks some of Margate’s senior players owe the club big performances in their fight against relegation.

Gate’s miserable Isthmian Premier form continued with a 3-0 defeat at play-off chasing Carshalton last Saturday.

It means Margate have still only won once - 3-2 against Canvey Island last month - since Stimson became boss in December and they are entrenched in the bottom four.

Stimson’s side are at home to fourth-placed Enfield this Saturday before a game at relegation rivals Cheshunt on Tuesday.

“Forget about me, they owe the club,” the 56-year-old said.

“The club have been unbelievable with them. It’s incredible what the club does for these players. We have got some senior players, but maybe one or two are not pulling their weight.

“With the Enfield one and Cheshunt away, we have got to get something out of those games and set ourselves up for the last six games of the season.

“Sam [Blackman] is one who owes the club massively. He’s missed far too many games this season due to poor discipline.”

Without experienced defensive duo Harry Hudson (concussion) and Tyrone Sterling (hamstring) at the War Memorial Sports Ground, as well as suspended club captain Blackman, the visitors trailed 1-0 at half-time. They felt they had equalised through Steve Cawley from Ben Greenhalgh’s cross, only for the goal to be chalked off for offside before the home side extended their lead after the restart.

Stimson reflected: “It was always going to be a difficult game.

“With injuries to Harry and Tyrone - who didn’t make it - that made it even more difficult.

“First half, we did okay. We were a bit disappointed to go in 1-0 down, but we thought we had a perfectly good goal disallowed on half-time.

“We spoke about doing the same in the second half. Unfortunately, a player let a runner off him and they made it 2-0.”

Youth-team prospects Louie Hoxha and Chidubem Ede were introduced off the bench at Carshalton, Gate light on numbers.

“I think one was 17 and one was 18,” Stimson said. “They were both young boys.

“It wasn’t very long, but they did all right. No disrespect to them, but we need to be bringing on senior players.

“Our bench should be a lot stronger - but it’s not. I think Carshalton had 22 warming up on Saturday, we had 14.”

Enfield beat Gate 2-0 in December in what proved to be then-manager Reece Prestedge’s last game prior to his dismissal.

Stimson said: “Enfield are up there every year.

“I’ve played them in play-off semi-finals before. They have got a good senior squad of 16 to 18 players to choose from.

“At the start of every season, you fancy Enfield to get into the play-offs. But our players have got to give everything, look in the mirror at the end of the day and say ‘I cannot give any more’.

“I know myself and my staff can do that. Some players, perhaps they can’t.”

That’s followed by a rearranged clash at Cheshunt, a side just above the drop zone, although Gate will have midfielder Blackman back.

Stimson stated: “Every time, it seems to be a big game. It seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

“We will be pleased to get it played. Two or three weeks ago, maybe we could have got a draw but now, we need to win.”

While Hudson and Sterling are touch-and-go as to whether they will return to face Enfield and teenage striker Vinnie Bowman continues to be on trial at Millwall, Guyana international winger Kadell Daniel will be unavailable.

Stimson said: “Especially when it’s a friendly, (it’s frustrating) - but it’s international football. The lad isn’t going to turn down that opportunity.

“But it’s no good for us, especially with the size of the squad we have got.”