Margate 3 Hayes 1

MARGATE came from behind to beat Hayes at Homelands on Saturday, but the Nationwide South victory was marred by the news that young defender Mark Green faces a long-lay-off after breaking his left leg.

The former Gillingham trainee was hurt as early as the 13th minute of the game. He fell awkwardly on the edge of the visitors penalty area, as he supported an attack, and the game was held up for around seven minutes as he was carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital. He was detained in the William Harvey at Ashford over the weekend, and underwent an operation to have a plate inserted in the leg.

His loss followed Greg Oates pulling out in the warm up with a knee tendon problem, which depletes boss Chris Kinnear's small squad even further.

Margate also included new 'keeper Nej Hussein in the side as Icelandic international Olafur Gottskallsson was unavaiable after a trial with Torquay.

Hussein recovered from a shaky start, and Margate fell behind, just four minutes after the loss of Green. They were hesitant defending a right wing corner, allowing striker Josh Scott to score from close range.

Peter Benevides, drafted in at right back to replace Oates, and Rocky Baptiste went close for Margate, before Hussein denied Stuart Goodall the chance of putting Hayes further in front late in the first half.

The' keeper was in action again early in the second half, saving at point-blank range, and then keeping out another effort soon afterwards.

Prompted by the impressive Adrian Clarke, Margate continued to create chances themselves, as Benevides went close, before Che Stadhart put them level after 66 minutes. Again Clarke was the provider, with a perfect left wing cross that Stadhart headed in at the near post for his first of the season.

Hussein was again in ther thick of the action minutes late, turning Mark Molesley's shot past his left hand upright.

Margate took the lead for the first time in the game after 71 minutes. Baptiste bustled the ball and the Hayes 'keeper over the line, after latrching on to a long through ball.

Hayes hit the bar, only for Margate to add their third minutes later. Benevides powered forward, and neatly slotted the ball inside the post to help seal the game for the Thanet side.