A lacklustre Margate side were beaten by a strong Kingstonian team who are still in the playoff race in the Ryman Premier League.

The Gate came into the game in a comfortable position in the table with a very small chance of them getting sucked into a relegation battle, raised by the signing of ex Gillingham and Notts County midfielder Charlie Allen.

The Thanet team looked like they would be able to stay away from the dangers of relegation as the season reaches the final months, it was not going to be easy though, Margate hadn’t scored in their previous two competitive matches whilst only scoring three goals since their last home match in February.

After a slow start to the game it was the hosts who had the first opportunity to apply pressure to their opponents. From a long free kick into the penalty area from Sam Rents the ball flew across the pitch towards the far post, but Mitchell Nelson was unable to keep his header down.

Kingstonian came straight back and if it wasn’t for some observant goalkeeping from Nikki Bull they would have scored the opener; after a quick run down the right wing by Andre Dacosta his cross was carried by the wind towards Bull’s left, the experienced goalkeeper was able to spring to his near post and claw the cross off the line to keep the game goalless.

It was going to take something special to score the first goal of the game and that is exactly what the crowd were treated to at Hartsdown Park.

After a brilliant run down the middle of the defence from Charles Ademeno he cut inside to give himself more space, only to get tripped on the edge of the area by Sam Page. After the defender was subsequently booked Rents stepped up and curled a shot perfectly past the wall as well as the diving goalkeeper.

Directly after Margate had a chance to double their lead, but after a corner was cleared away towards Charlie Allen, the new signing beat his man before sliding a shot just wide of the goal.

Just before half time, however, it was Kingstonian who scored, after a brilliant, skilful run by Dacosta on the right wing, he was given enough space to put a cross into the Margate area, the gate’s defence, still stunned by the trickery of the winger, stood still, allowing Daniel Sweeny to steer his header into the net to tie up the game before half time.

It took another twenty minutes for either team to have another opportunity to score, but after a mistake from Mitchell Nelson, the visitors were able to score the winning goal. Mitchell attempted a pass across his own penalty area unaware of the presence of Ryan Moss, Moss was able to play the ball into the path of Andre McCollin who slid the ball into the net.

After the third goal of the game Margate looked for an equaliser, their chances were increased hugely after Kingstonian’s McCollin was sent off late in the game after an awful challenge on Anthony Riviere, but the remaining 5 minutes was not enough time, leaving Margate with their fourteenth loss of the season.

Margate: Bull, Nelson, Rents, Riviere, Wassmer, Beales (Phipp), Allen, Artemi, Louis, Ademano (Bodkin), Wishart (Sammoutis)

Subs not used: Holloway, Wilson

Kingstonian: Tolfrey, Goode, Hogg (Ofuse- Hene), Drage, Page, Casey, Dacosta (Okojie), Pappoe, Moss, Sweeney, Knight (McCollin)

Officials: Greame Ions, Theo Parfitt, Jamie Gilham