ASHFORD FC are close to finalising an agreement which will allow Margate to groundshare at Homelands for the rest of the season.

The beleaguered Nationwide Conference club have been hit by delays in the redevelopment of Hartsdown Park and their existing groundshare deal with Dover runs out at the end of December.

Chris Kinnear's side had their first taste of football at Homelands on Tuesday when they were beaten on penalties by Grays in their FA Cup replay.

Conference officials are due to run the rule over Homelands tomorrow (Friday) and Town boss Tim Thorogood says he fully expects them to endorse the arrangement which will probably mean Town's reserves playing their home matches elsewhere.

The Town boss said: "Margate came to us and we've been talking for the last few days. It's not nailed on and there is still a little bit of negotiating to do but I can see no problems.

"We see the arrangement as a good thing for us because it will bring in money which will be used to help strengthen the club."