Margate 1 Hayes 0

LEON BRAITHWAITE'S second-half header ensured another three points for Margate to move them back up to third in the Nationwide Conference. Braithwaite pounced from six yards just three minutes after Margate midfielder Simon Beard had been sent off for two bookable offences.

Lowly Hayes had to re-shuffle their formation as soon as the third minute when Matt James-Green was carried off with a dislocated shoulder and was taken to hospital after an innocent looking challenge from Braithwaite.

The visitors then had several chances to take the lead in the first half and went closest on 20 minutes when Kevin Warner's long range effort clipped the crossbar.

Phil Collins, back in the Margate starting line up, also had chances to put his side ahead and saw a header deflected onto the post before half time.

The second half saw a change of referee when the fourth official took over from Mr Conn in the middle and the replacement official was soon in the action dismissing acting Margate skipper Beard on 65 minutes.

Margate, though, responded positively and within three minutes Braithwaite had broken the deadlock, meeting Paul Lamb's free-kick after the busy Gareth Graham, making his debut, was fouled on the edge of the box.

During the final quarter Hayes finished strongly but the Margate defence stayed strong and reduced the visitors to long range efforts which did not trouble Margate 'keeper Lee Turner.