Margate had to settle for a share of the spoils in their Pitching-In Isthmian Premier League fixture against Hornchurch on Tuesday evening.

The game was a healthy contest right from the off, with the visitors from East London beginning the brighter. Veteran striker Chris Dickson had the first opportunity but fired tamely at Bailey Vose in the Gate goal. Matthew Johnson also fired over from the edge of the area for the Urchins in the opening exchanges.

Margate having felt their way into the game had a succession of corners and with a quarter of an hour gone one such delivery was met by skipper Ben Swift, whose goalbound effort was headed off the line by a red shirt.

The home side were the better side from here on in and had the best chances of the first period. Teenager Archie Burnett seeing a dipping effort from range go narrowly over the crossbar. They should have taken the lead with 5 minutes left of the half. John Ufuah – who was tireless throughout, won the ball on half way and played in Connor Evans, he picked out Freddy Moncur who fired just wide when 1 on 1 with the keeper.

A chance that he’d have scored 9 times out of 10. Hornchurch were very fortunate to go into the break on even terms.

The second half began with Margate again looking the better side. However, with fifty-three minutes on the clock, the away side took the lead after a defensive mix up in which the ball fell to Joe Christou. He fired across Vose and found the back of the net from the edge of the 6 yard area. A goal that was very much against the run of play.

Margate, to their credit, stood firm as The Urchins pushed hard for a second to try and kill the game. The defence came up with block after block withstanding a barrage of pressure over the next 10 minutes.

Hornchurch had appeals for a penalty waved away by referee Nicholas Dunn. A shot from range was too hot for Vose and as he came to gather the ball, he upended Hornchurch’s Ellis Brown. Mr Dunn, who was well placed was unmoved and waved away any protests.

This was a pivotal moment as The Gate countered and won a corner via a Connor Evans effort. Jack Richards delivered an excellent ball, which was met by Ben Swift in emphatic fashion to even the scores up at 1-1 with just over twenty minutes left. It was no less than Margate deserved on the balance of play.

At this point, Margate began to turn the screw on the visitors. John Ufuah scuffing a great chance after he’d dispatched his marker and cut inside. A big left off for Hornchurch. Connor Evans and Toby Bancroft also tried their luck – but only stung the palms of Joseph Wright in goal. The visitors largely  had him to thank for their point.

The points were shared but there wouldn’t have been too many complaints if Margate had ended up taking all 3. They’ll hope to carry on in the same vein away at Leatherhead on Saturday.

Margate: Vose, Sessegnon, Porter, Prestedge, Friend, Swift (C), Moncur, Burnett, Ufuah, Evans, Bancroft

Subs: Kallmeier, Richards, Carey, Steele, Hatton

Goalscorers: Swift (69)

Bookings: None

Hornchurch: Wright, Parcell, Ramsay, Cooper, Hayles, Johnson, Christou, Spence (C), Stimson, Dickson, Brown.

Subs: Winn, Onyemah, Sutton, Hassan, Doe

Goalscorers: Christou (53)

Bookings: Spence (88)

Referee: Nicholas Dunn