Margate 2 Bognor Regis 3

MARGATE boss Chris Kinnear is unlikely to lose too much sleep over this opening day Nationwide South defeat, as just playing the game was an achievement for the troubled Thanet club.

Only 244 were at Homelands to see it, as Margate came from a goal down at half time, to lead 2-1 early in the second half, only for Bognor to snatch the points with an 85th minute winner from substitute Matt Russell.

However, there was still time for former Gillingham trainee Mark Green to see his shot blocked, and substitute Moses Junju see another effort come back off the underside of the bar as referee Mr Bull added on five minutes stoppage time at the end.

Kinnear said: "We have not had a pre-season to speak of. It's been difficult. The players are not match- fit yet, but we wlll get better. I have no doubt about that.

"Lack of preparation was one big thing against us, and a bearing on the result. We tried to stay upbeat, and hopefully drag ourselves through, and at 2-1 I thought we were going to. We should have had a corner, but the referee gave a goal-kick, and they go straight up the other end and score to make it 2-2. It's just the way things are going for us at the moment, but we'll turn it around."

Margate might have taken an eighth minute lead when Rocky Baptiste was denied by Bognor goalkeeper Craig Stoner.

Baptiste might have scored just before the half hour, but wanted too many touches inside the box, but Bognor took the lead soon afterwards. New 'Gate goalkeeper Scott Ward had no chance as Kevin Murphy fired home. Baptiste then shot over from John Keister's set-up, as Margate trailed at the break.

It was a different st ory within three minutes of the re-start. Adrian Clarke's corner was headed home by new-boy Aaron Barnett, and then three minutes later substute Alexis Charalambous harried Michael Birmingham into conceding an own goal.

Baptiste then went close again twice, and as play switched from end to end, Bognor levelled on 74 minutes through former Portsmouth and Southend youngster Luke Nightingale.

Margate would have happily settled for a point at that stage, only to be caught out by Guy Rutherford through ball for Rusell to touch past Ward, with skipper Darren Annon leading Margate's vain offside . appeals.

Another new signing, Canadian Peter Benevides missed the game as his international clearance had not been completed in time, but Kinnear hopes he may be available for tonight's trip to Carshalton Athletic (kick off 7.45).