Margate 2 Thurrock 1

MARGATE recorded back to back wins for the first time this season and climbed to 12th place in the Nationwide South table, thanks to Peter Benevides's winner at Ashford.

Sadly, fewer than 200 were at Homelands to see it, as Benevides struck with 16 minutes left to earn Gate a third home win of the season to inflict a first away defeat of the season on the Essex side, promoted from the Ryman League last season.

New goalkeeper Peter Trego made his home debut, but Gillingham youngster Dean Beckwith pulled out after picking up a knock in training, and Greg Oates missed the second half with a recurrence of a knee problem.

Adrian Clarke set up Margate's opener for Rocky Baptiste to curl home his sixth goal of the season past Thurrock goalkeeper Billy McMahon. They held the lead until 66 minites on the clock when former Luton and Bournemouth striker Tresor Kandol netted Thurrock's equaliser, after Trego had pushed his initial header onto the bar.

Benevides settled the contest eight minutes later, taking advantage of slack defending, before running on to tuck the ball inside the near post.