Lewes 7 Margate 3

MARGATE suffered their second heavy defeat of the season, and again finished with 10 men, in this Nationwide South goal-fest at the Dripping Pan last night.

Twice in front in the first half, they lost Peter Benevides, sent off for deliberate hand-ball, trailed 3-2 at half time, and then conceded four more in a 17-minute spell after the break.

Margate took the lead after 23 minutes when Rocky Baptiste, set up Che Stadhart to finish well. Lewes equalised eight minutes when Dwain Clarke's corner looked to be going in, Benevides attempted to punch clear, and left Sidcup referee Tony Mason with no alternative but to send him off. Junior Kadi netted from the resultant spot-kick.

Margate regained the lead three minutes later, when Stadhart got his second, finishing off another impressive move to volley in from close range.

Lewes then scored twice in four minutes just before the break. Goalkeeper Nej Hussein parried Luke Cornwall's first effort, but Barrington Belgrave netted the rebound. Then Kirk Watts scored the home side's third, and Baptiste missed a great chance to make it 3-3 when he lost out in a one-on-one with former 'Gate keeper Scott Ward.

Margate went close again soon after half time, but Lewes extended their lead when Luke Cornwall headed in almost on the goal line, after another corner had been flicked on at the near post. Belgrave made it 5-2 with his second, before Baptiste pulled one back for Margate.

A mistake by Hussein gifted Lewes their sixth, and Belgrave completed his hat-trick sixteen minutes from time to make it seven.

Teenage striker Daniel Bulley, signed earlier in the day, made his debut as a late substitute for Baptiste.

Margate played good football at times, but boss Chris Kinnear will be concerned by seeing his team concede 23 goals in nine games. Only Kent rivals Welling have a worse defensive record.