MARGATE had the worst possible preparation for tomorrow night's FA Cup replay against Leyton Orient when they were thrashed 5-0 at Chester in the Nationwide Conference on Saturday.

Gate, with their minds possibly not fully on the job in hand, were four down after half an hour with two goals by Daryl Clare and one each by Ryan Sugden and Wayne Hatswell, and Clare completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute.

Margate drew 1-1 against Third Division strugglers Orient in the first round cup tie last week, but for the replay they are still likely to be without striker Leon Braithwaite, recovering from a broken jaw, and have a long list of other injury worries.

The match kicks off at 7.45pm on Dover's Crabble pitch because Margate's own ground is closed for redevelopment.

It is an all-ticket game, but terrace tickets, at £8 for adults, £5.50 for pensioners and £3.50 for children, and seats, at £10, will be available at the Crabble ground until 5pm on the day.