Margate were the day’s big winners in Ryman League Premier Division, without even kicking a ball.

Despite the best efforts of dozens of fans, aswell as staff and official to get Gate’s home game against AFC Hornchurch on, the pitch was deemed unplayable.

Boss Terry Brown instead travelled to Maidstone where he saw the table-topping Stones fail to build on their three-point advantage over second-placed Margate, who have now played only one more game than United.

Stones lost 3-0 at home to Enfield while third-placed Dulwich Hamlet remain a point behind Gate after they suffered a surprise 1-0 defeat at Hampton & Richmond Borough.

Tonbridge Angels slipped to 17th, just six points ahead of the drop-zone after a 3-0 home humbling by Leatherhead.

Former Longmead hero Carl Rook opened the scoring shortly after the half-hour and Vasieleious Karagiannis grabbed the crucial second 25 minutes from time, while Jerry Nnamani added a third with six minutes to go.

VCD Athletic came from 2-0 down to draw against 10-man Canvey Island and move a point from safety.

Steven Smith put the visitors ahead after 13 minutes and Curran John made it two on the stroke of half-time, but when the Islanders lost Dave Collis to a red card on the hour, it gave Vickers hope.

Leigh Bremner eventually halved the deficit 11 minutes from time before a penalty from Mikhail Kennedy inside the final 10 minutes earned a share of the points.

The game of the day in Division 1 South saw in-form Whitstable stun neighbours Faversham 3-1 at Salters Lane, landing a massive blow to the Lilywhites title hopes.

Ian Pulman put the visitors ahead against his former club shortly after half-time, and although Jamie Maxted soon had Town on terms, two goals within 60 seconds inside the final 10 minutes from Scott Heard and Pulman again, ensured a memorable win for the Oystermen infront of a crowd of more than 450.

The defeat saw Faversham slip three points adrift of leaders Burgess Hill, 1-0 winners against Sittingbourne, having played four games more than the Sussex side.

Bourne went down to a lone Dan Perry goal a minute before half-time.

With third-placed Folkestone’s game at home to South Park postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Merstham climbed above them with a 5-1 win at Whyteleafe.

Defeat for Leafe and Herne Bay’s 1-0 win over Worthing left Whitstable in sixth and just four points outside the play-offs.

Bay were indebted to an own-goal from Harvey Sparks with eight minutes remaining at Winch’s Field as they climbed to eighth, two points behind Whitstable.

At the other end Hythe stayed two places and five points clear of the drop-zone after coming from behind to draw at Redhill, who occupy the final relegation spot.

Alex Teniola put the hosts ahead on 26 minutes but Craig Thompson scored two in nine minutes after the break, only for Tyrone Pink to snatch a second for Hill seconds later to ensure a 2-2 draw.

Ramsgate stayed level on points with Redhill after a dramatic 3-3 draw at home to Three Bridges.

Alan Tait put the visitors ahead inside three minutes but Macauley Murray levelled 10 minutes later and Tom Chapman made it 2-1 five minutes before the break.

Nathan Crabb made it 2-2 just before the house but James Sherman put the Rams 3-2 up five minutes later, yet despite losing John Lansdale to a stoppage-time red card, there was still time for Ben Godfrey to grab an equaliser for Bridges in a frantic finale.

Chatham Town remain a place above the Division 1 North relegation zone after a 1-0 reverse at Tilbury.

A day which began badly for Chats as their club website was hacked by extremists, ended with Neil Richmond claiming all three points with a 51st-minute winner for the Dockers.

Cray Wanderers remain deep in trouble, two places below Town, after allowing a fine 2-0 lead against promotion-chasing Brentwood to slip to a 3-2 home defeat.

Adrian Stoke and Moses Ashikodi scored twice in eight first-half minutes but Tom Richardson halved the deficit three minutes before the interval and then made it 2-2 with eight minutes left.

Sherwin Stanley then broke Wands hearts, completing the turnaround with three minutes to play.

Thamesmead Town both led and came from behind in a rollercoaster before being edged-out at Ware.

Carter’s 24th-minute opener put Mead infront but the lead lasted just two minutes and Ware went 2-1 up two minutes into the second half.

Ashley Probets levelled with 20 minutes remaining but the hosts snatched the winner six minutes later as Town stayed 14th.