Ben Greenhalgh is enjoying being part of Margate’s interim managerial team.

Greenhalgh has been left in charge of Gate alongside assistant Reece Prestedge since the dismissal of boss Andy Drury.

He wanted to manage at some stage but wasn’t too keen on splitting his responsibilities in a player-boss role.

With Prestedge now having retired before he rejoined as Drury’s No.2 in October, he can look on from the sidelines, though, as Greenhalgh tries to dictate things on the pitch.

Greenhalgh, 30, said: “It was always something I wanted to do. I’m the Academy manager at Dartford.

“The plan was not to do it now but the opportunity has come up.

“We have had so much respect from the fans. The team against Folkestone [which lost 4-0 on January 2] probably was never going to win that game and Brightlingsea [on Saturday] was difficult as well. But the good thing is supporters can see that.

• Gate youngster makes team-of-the-week

“It’s something we are trying to build at the moment. I think it works really well with myself and Reece’s relationship.

“I didn’t want to get into player-management but, with Reece, it works well.”

It’s certainly been an eventful start to life in management for the duo. Having been heavily beaten at Cheriton Road, they drew 3-3 at home to Brightlingsea last weekend in a topsy-turvy Isthmian Premier encounter.

On-loan Gillingham teenager Matty MacArthur gave Gate an early lead before Greenhalgh netted direct from a corner and, despite the visitors hitting back at Hartsdown Park to go 3-2 ahead, defender Emmanuel Oke grabbed a last-gasp leveller.

“It was frustrating,” reflected Greenhalgh.

“We went 2-0 up and, when you are 2-0 up, I think you expect to win the game. But the result was fair, considering the age of the team and the situation we were in.

“Before the game, we only had nine senior players available but we managed to get Phil Roberts over the line. Then Freddy Barton pulled out with an injury.

“That’s just it at the minute for us.”

Midfielder Sam Blackman is set to make a welcome return for Gate - who tonight host Isthmian South East Whitehawk in a Velocity Cup quarter-final - before this Saturday’s trip to mid-table Horsham in the league.

But while more senior arrivals are being worked on, Greenhalgh isn’t afraid to play youngsters and was impressed with youth product Jake McCarthy on his debut against Brightlingsea. He was one of four starting defenders under 21.

Greenhalgh said: “I think that’s something me and Reece will be proud of.

“We can always say we were the ones who gave him his debut.”

Striker Roberts also made his bow from the start in their six-goal thriller against Brightlingsea.

“We have probably seen a small amount of what Phil Roberts brings to the table,” said Greenhalgh, who played with Roberts at Dartford while they also briefly crossed paths at Inverness.

“But even that, in itself, made an impact.”

Other Gate players to miss the Brightlingsea match through injury included defenders Harrison Hatfull and Harry Hudson.