Herne Bay's Billy Bennett in possession against Maidstone at the Gallagher Stadium on Saturday Picture: Martin Apps

Margate have moved joint top with Whitehawk in the Ryman League, Premier Division, after their 2-1 victory at Hampton & Richmond on Saturday.

Matt Bodkin grabbed Gate’s winner early in the second half after the sides had gone in at half-time drawing 1-1, with Hampton’s Gary Holloway cancelling out a 13th-minute strike from Dan Stubbs.

Maidstone United remain two points behind leaders Dulwich Hamlet in Ryman League, Division 1 South after beating Herne Bay 2-0 in front of a crowd of 1,731 at the Gallagher Stadium.

Second-half goals from Alex Flisher and Tom Mills gave Stones victory after they had striker Shaun Welford sent off for violent conduct.

Third-placed Hythe Town kept up their challenge with a 4-1 victory at Merstham. Captain Dave Cook led the way with his second hat-trick of the season before Brendon Cass completed the scoring nine minutes from time.

Sittingbourne moved into fourth place after their 3-0 win at former leaders Crawley Down, who had Steve Sargent sent-off just before half-time.

The Brickies were on top throughout and were rewarded with goals from Nick Davies, Ryan Golding and Joe Taylor.

Faversham, however, have slipped to eighth place after their 2-0 home defeat by Chipstead. The visitors scored in each half through Joe Nwoko and Shane Graham and also saw a 78th-minute penalty saved by Faversham keeper Simon Overland.

Whitstable and Ramsgate also both lost at home. Whitstable, who have appointed former Gillingham midfielder Nicky Southall as their new manager, lost 2-0 to fellow strugglers Corinthian Casuals who scored both their goals in the second half through Joe Hicks and Dave Hodges.

Ramsgate led 1-0 through Tom Chapman but Walton & Hersham hit back to claim the points through Victor Kiri and a late Graeme Purdy penalty.

Folkestone were denied victory at home to Burgess Hill Town when Darren Budd’s 87th-minute goal direct from a corner cancelled out Richard Atkins’ 51st-minute strike.

In Ryman League, Division 1 North, Thamesmead won 4-2 at fellow play-off rivals Potters Bar thanks to two goals each from Stuart Zanone and Rob Carter, while Chatham remain in a lowly 18th place after their 2-0 home defeat by leaders Maldon & Tiptree.