Redbridge 2 Margate 1

MARGATE's hopes of a third successive Nationwide South victory were derailed in East London on Saturday.

As Central Line trains rumbled past the main stand, Chris Kinnear's side, found themselves 2-0 down early on for the second week running, before Greg Oates converted an excellent free kick on the hour mark and might have snatched a point, but for two fine second half saves from Redbridge goalkeeper Ashley Harrison.

The former Dover keeper, on loan from Canvey Island, denied Rocky Baptiste with a fine block, and then tipped over a goal-bound effort from substitute Alex Charalambous five minutes from time.

Disappointed boss Chris Kinnear said: "We keep shooting ourselves in the foot. Both goals were down to us, but I am not going to publicily berate individuals for the mistakes."

Margate, playing in their new Celtic-style green and white hooped shirts, were a goal down as early as third minute. Poor defending allowed Redbridge's Jay Murray to fire the home side in front.

Adrian Clarke, Peter Benevides (twice) and Che Stadhart all had chances to put the visitors level, before Dean Beckwith atoned for his part in the goal with a superb challenge inside the area to deny Murray a second.

Midfielder Pat Gradley was harshly booked by referee Dave Bryan for his reaction to be penalised for hand-ball, before Benevides tested Harrison ten minutes before half time.

Two minutes later Beckwith conceded a penalty. The young defender, on loan from Gillingham, fell to the ground attempting to clear, but only succeeded in handling the ball, and Glen Poole stepped up to beat Gate goalkeeper Peter Trego.

Stadhart went close soon afterwards, and then Barnett headed over on the stroke of half time. Oates became the second Margate player booked foir dissent in stoppage time.

Redbridge had claims for a second penalty ruled out just three minutes after the break.

A Redbridge player went down under a challenge from Billy Edwards, but nothing was given, only for Chris Perkins to hit the underside of the Margate bar as play continued.

Then Ben Lewis was lucy to go unpunished for laying out Trego, after the whistle had already blown for offside against the Redbridge home player.

Benevides missed Oates' cross, before Baptiste broke through, only for Harrison to spread himself well.

However the 'keeper had no chance two minutes later when Maragte won a free kick just outside the area. Oates, playing despite still being troubled by knee tendon trouble curled it over the wall and into the net.

Redbridge's Murray and Lewis were yellow-carded, before Margate, finished well. Charalambous, on for the limping Oates saw his fierce effort tipped over. Beckwith headed over Clarke's corner, and then Benevides saw another shot deflected for corner, but the late flourish failed to earn any reward.

Margate: Trego, Oates (Charalambous 80), Annon, Barnett, Edwards, Beckwith, Gradley, Clarke, Benevides, Baptiste, Stadhart. Subs Not Used: Jjunju, Bulley, Ngongou, Hussein.