Margate’s frustrating run without a win extended to six matches after the Ryman Premier title chasers drew at home to Wingate and Finchley.

Just two points from their previous four league games left The Gate with slim chances of returning to the top spot in the Ryman Premier, forcing them to look to maintain their place in the play-off places. Their opponents also have aspirations of promotion; Wingate and Finchley came into the game just one point away from the final playoff place.

Terry Brown made four changes from his Margate side who drew 2-2 at Canvey Island; Anthony Riviere came in on the right side of defence for Tambeson Eyong whilst further up the field Kane Wills and Ryan Moss came in for Jamie Taylor and Ryan James due to injuries. Luke Moore also took the place of Brett Johnson after passing a late fitness test.

After a slow start to the game neither team were able to take control of the game but both sides were still able to create chances, fourteen minutes in a cross from Luke Moore fell to Freddie ladapo but the striker’s quick shot flew over the Wingate goal.

The visitors came straight back and after a long ball over the Margate defence fell to David Knight the winger’s weak shot was easily gathered by Nikki Bull.

A spell of pressure from the visitors soon after forced Bull into a number of saves, most notably when a weaving run from Karl Oliyide ended with him cutting inside from the left wing and curling a shot towards goal which Bull was able to push away from his goal.The goalkeeper was called into action again minutes after when a magnificent turn from Harrison Georgiou gave him enough space to attempt a shot which was pushed wide for a corner which was well gathered by Bull.

To end the first half Margate had one final opportunity to take the lead, after Kane Wills’ deflected shot was gathered by the goalkeeper, Lewis Taylor’s effort also hit a defender, forcing the ball just wide of Bobby Smith’s goal, keeping the game goalless at half time.

The second half also got off to a slow start with Margate getting the first opportunity ten minutes into the half when a Margate counter attack ended with Ladapo firing a shot over after some good play between the striker, Kane Wills and Lewis Taylor.

Another counter attack, this time for the visitors allowing them to build up some momentum. From a cleared corner Karl Oliyide held up the ball to find support which soon came from the overlapping run of Orlando Joao who was only able to hit a shot over.

Margate were soon able to take control of the game, however and they had the best chance of the game when the ball was only cleared as far as Tom Phipp on the edge of the penalty area, the midfielder was quickly able to turn but could only watch as his half volley hit the post.

The hosts continued their search for the opening goal but after efforts from Kane Wills, Freddie Padapo and Lewis Taylor were all kept out time was running out for Margate to get all three points.

With full time just seconds away two spectacular saves from Bobby Smith ensured the game woud end level, the first came after substitute Zac Attwood was given the time and space to turn inside the Wingate and Finchley penalty area, but his high shot was acrobatically tipped over for a corner by Smith. From this Ryan Moss’ header was dipping beneath the bar before Smith was again able to amazingly throw his body into the air to deny a late winner.

Margate’s sixth game without a win, and their eighth draw of the season keep them in third place, but it now looks like they will need to seek promotion through the play-offs after being 13 points behind first placed Maidstone, who they play next week at a sell-out game at the Gallagher Stadium.

Margate: Bull, Riviere, Rents, Phipp, Wassmer, Gerring, Taylor, Wills, Moss, Ladapo (Attwood), Moore

Subs not used: Johnson, Bennett, Cash, Armstrong-Ford

Wingate and Finchley: Smith, Weatherstone, Joao, Sogbanmu, Hewitt, Rifat, Knight, Tean-Sie, Laney, Georgiou (Read), Oliyide

Subs not used: Stevenson, Sharpe, Suddel, MetCalfe