Kentonline report

[knighty101]

Gate walking wounded through survival battle

 

by Andrew Gidley

 

Margate v Dorchester

 

MARGATE'S players will play through the pain barrier in an effort to preserve their Nationwide South status.

 

Defender Greg Oates will again be ruled out of Saturday's home game against play-off hopefuls Dorchester, but Billy Edwards is likely to play despite being hampered by a groin injury.

 

The club have taken just thee points out of the last 24, and assistant manager Kevin Raine said: "The boys are keen and enthusiastic, and some of them definitely need a rest, but in our position that is not possible."

 

Newport County moved three points ahead of Margate, with a 6-3 win over Bishop's Stortford last night, who fielded a weakened team ahead of Saturday's FA Trophy semi-final against Hucknall Town.

 

Raine added: "Being involved in a relegation battle is a new experience for Chris Kinnear and I in 19 years together in management. At this time of the year we have usually been in the top half of the table. We will keep battling away and know we need three wins in our last four games, but it won't be easy."

 

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