Margate’s recent frustration continued as they lost at home for the first time this season to Peacehaven and Telscombe.

‘The Gate’ came into the game as leaders of the Ryman Premier League, three points above second placed Maidstone having only lost one game since the fourth of November. In comparison Peacehaven’s recent form had put them in a steady decline, they began the day in 16^th place with just a single win in 7 games. It was also the magpies’ first game under Tony Coade who replaced Shaun Saunders during the week.

Terry Brown made two changes to the Margate side who conceded a late equalizer the previous week against Harrow Borough; Tambeson Eyong returned from suspension and replaced Anthony Riviere at right- back whilst Jack Bennett took the place of Jamie Taylor in an attacking role.

Margate kicked off and within two minutes they had the first chance of the game, after a run down the right wing from Eyong the full back hit a cross slightly behind Ryan Moss but the striker’s improvised effort flew wide of the target.

This early pressure helped the hosts to gain the upper hand and within seven minutes they were leading, a long ball into space from Lewis Taylor fell into the path of Ryan Moss who carried the ball around the Peacehaven goalkeeper before sliding the ball in from a tight angle for his 15^th league goal of the season.

The visitors came straight back and had a chance of their own moments later. After some good build up play between Joe Gatting and Tom Burton a one- two ended with Burton hitting a shot towards goal which Nikki Bull did well to get down and hold onto.

After this small worry Margate began to dominate the game; a series of crosses from the right wing caused problems for the Peacehaven defence.

With Margate controlling possession they were able to have a lot more opportunities than their opponents, a long ball from midfield was flicked on by Ryan Moss into the path of Lewis Taylor whose shot across the goalmouth went agonisingly wide.

Moss continued to cause problems for the visitors, after collecting the ball on the left wing he was given space to cut inside before his shot was blocked by Lloyd Cotton, despite some strong calls for handball the referee did not give the decision and allowed play to continue.

Despite this attacking presence from the hosts they were left compromised in defence when Josh Jones found space on the left wing to make a dazzling run towards Nikki Bull’s goal before clipping a cross towards the head of Tom Burton who, despite having both Margate centre backs to beat in the air, was able to steer his header towards the bottom corner to equalise for his team.

Margate came back just before half time and were nearly able to ensure they would begin the second half with the lead but, after a powerful run from Tambeson Eyong ended with the defender pulling the ball back to Ryan Moss but the striker’s looping shot was brilliantly saved from Di Bernado before Luke Moore’s acrobatic volley flew over meaning the teams were level as they went in for half time.

Early in the second half Margate had their best chance to regain their lead but after Charlie Allen’s high cross from the right wing Ryan Moss couldn’t convert his contested header.

The quality of the pitch rapidly declined during the second half meaning that neither team were able to control and pass the ball properly, a slow period of play ensued with neither team being able to get the correct build up to create any chances.

However, this was over after a quick breakaway by Margate allowed Luke Moore to lay the ball off to his left where Moss placed a shot towards the near post which was well held by Di Bernado in the Peacehaven goal.

The hosts’ pressure continued when Allen’s blocked shot fell into the path of Kane Wills who hit a delicate shot inches wide of the right post. Soon after it was Lewis Taylor who had a shot but his hopeful effort from 25 yards didn’t concern the goalkeeper.

With Margate’s frustration building up and time running out, Peacehaven looked for a winner but time after time they were turned away by the stubborn Gate defence James Fraser’s shot was bravely blocked by Brett Johnson and Joe Gatting was unable to connect cleanly with the ball meaning his sliced shot span away for a goal kick.

This pressure did eventually pay off, however when Wilfred Grimaud, Peacehaven’s only substitute, got onto the end of a through ball before outpacing the entire Margate defence and sliding a calm effort past Nikki Bull.

Grimaud had another chance as the final whistle approached, Margate gave the ball away in defence meaning that the attacker only had Luke Williams to beat as he edged closer to the goal he clipped a shot past Bull towards the top corner, only to see it hit the post.

Margate went looking for a way to level the game before full time but an unorthodox mix of the declining state of the pitch, their opponents and their own sloppy passing ensured that Peacehaven would return to Sussex with all three points whilst ending the Thanet side’s unbeaten home record this season.

After that defeat Margate’s lead at the top of the Ryman Premier League has been reduced to just two points thanks to Hendon’s 90^th minute equaliser at Maidstone, the Stones also have four games in hand over Margate who enter the busy Christmas period with a Kent Derby at Tonbridge Angels on the 27^th before struggling Lewes travel to Hartsdown Park on New Year’s Day.

Margate: Bull, Eyong, Rents, Allen, Beales (Stuart), Johnson (Williams), L. Taylor, Wills, Moss, Bennett (J. Taylor), Moore

Subs not used: Riviere, Phipp

Booked: L. Taylor

Peacehaven and Telscombe: Di Bernado, Metcalf, Knee, Cotton, A. Jones, McLaughlin, Brotherton, Fraser, Gatting, Burton (Grimuad), J. Jones

Subs not used: El- Abd, Marzetti, Hammond

Booked: J. Jones, Grimaud

Attendance: 475