Farnborough 4 Margate 1

MARGATE had an evening to forget last night as they crashed 4-1 to Nationwide Conference rivals Farnborough.

All the goals came in the second half, with Farnborough breaking the deadlock just 46 seconds after the restart.

Margate’s defence was all at sixes and sevens as substitute Dean Green crossed from the right and Danny Carroll scored from close range.

Carroll added his second in the 62nd minute, pouncing an error in the penalty area by Sam Sodje, and eight minutes later Ken Charlery skipped past three defenders before firing in via the post.

Farnborough’s fourth came on 72 minutes and was hotly disputed by Margate who felt scorer Lennie Piper was at least two yards offside.

Piper was at the heart of more controversy nine minutes from time when he went down under challenge from Graham Porter, who was sent off after receiving his second booking of the contest. His first had been for dissent.

Margate grabbed a consolation goal on 89 minutes when Billy Edwards swung over a free-kick from the left and Jay Saunders claimed the final touch.

Margate awre away to Halifax on Saturday and will again be without midfield duo John Keister and Terry McFlynn, both of whom are on international duty.

The Farnborough match was due to be the last of Steve Watts’ month-long loan from Leyton Orient but efforts are being made to extend his stay.