Margate suffered their second straight defeat since Craig Holloway and Simon Osborne were named joint-managers.

They missed the chance to open up a five-point gap in the race for the Ryman League Premier Division play-offs with David Bryant's goal on the half-hour earning a 1-0 win for visitors East Thurrock.

Brendon Cass (left) scored an 11-minute hat-trick as Hythe moved up to third in Ryman League Division 1 South with a 4-1 win at Chipstead.

Jake Hobbs was also on target as Town wrapped up the points before half-time.

Ramsgate climbed to fourth with a 2-0 away win against Merstham.

Macauley Murray gave Rams the lead on seven minutes but was later sent off for a challenge on David Graves.

Ian Pulman made sure of the points in the second half after a mistake by the Merstham goalkeeper.

Sixth-placed Folkestone are three points off the play-offs after a 1-1 draw at Corinthian-Casuals.

Hosts Casuals went ahead early in the second half but Frankie Chappell rescued a point on 67 minutes.

Sittingbourne beat Burgess Hill 2-1 at home thanks to a Ryan Golding penalty and Jordan Johnson's first goal for the club.

Pat Harding gave the visitors an early lead but Golding levelled on 24 minutes and Johnson struck on the half-hour.

Baff Addae scored the only goal of the game on 26 minutes as third-placed Thamesmead won 1-0 at Ware in Ryman League Division 1 North.