Dagenham and Redbridge 4 Margate 1

TWO second-half penalties contributed to Margate's biggest defeat of the season in the Nationwide Conference as they lost away to Dagenham and Redbridge. The game was goalless until three minutes into the second period when the Gate's Gareth Graham was penalised for a foul on Danny Hayzelden and Steve McGavin crashed home the spot kick.

Three minutes later it was 2-0 as Ken Charlery's shot was charged down and former Chelsea and Luton star Mark Stein slipped the ball past Lee Turner.

Margate pulled a goal back on 63 minutes when Lee Williams flicked on a corner and Skipper Simon Beard shot home. But 11 minutes from time Charlery headed home a Paul Terry free-kick to make it 3-1 and two minutes from time the former Peterborough and Maidstone striker claimed his second, converting a penalty after Bill Edwards was adjudged to have held back Junior McDougald.

The defeat was only Margate's second away from home this season although they have now gone nine Conference games without a win and are down to fifth in the table. Their next game is the much awaited Kent derby at home to Dover on Boxing Day.