Sam Groombridge rescued a point for Margate as they drew 1-1 with boss Mark Butler's former team Ashford Town (Middlesex) at Hartsdown Park on Saturday.

The defender got on the end of Aaron Lacey's long free-kick to bundle the ball home on the stroke of half-time.

Earlier, the visitors had taken an 18th-minute lead when Ricardo Joseph's delicious cross found an unmarked Brian Haule and he made no mistake to plant a header past Matt Reed from eight yards.

Gate had come within a whisker of taking the lead themselves just before that goal but Dan Young's close-range header cannoned back off the crossbar.

Ashford pressed after the break and Margate had Reed to thank for preserving their point as he made fine saves to deny Haule and Byron Harrison.