Sutton 2 Margate 0

MARGATE'S topsy-turvy Nationwide South season continued with defeat at Gander Green Lane on Tuesday night.

The victory was the Surrey club's first at home this season, and once again Chris Kinnear's side suffered from missed opportunities.

Greg Oates, Billy Edwards and Pat Gradley all missed the game because of injury, and the game was still goalless until 20 minutes from the end when Sutton's Tony Quinton headed them in front, after Margate failed to clear a cross from the left.

Margate's best spell came after half time. Moses Junju fired wide and then got his head to Adrian Clarke's cross, but couldn't generate enough power in the effort to get it on target.

Junju again went close but saw his effort saved by Sutton 'keeper Phil Wilson.

Stadhart also had another chance to put Margate in front, only to denied by last ditch Sutton defending.

After going a goal down, Stadhart volleyed over and then Rocky Baptiste couldn't convert a flick-on by substitute Darren Watson, on for Junju, and making his first appearance since returning to the club.

Sutton, who like Margate have struggled for an sort of consistency in the early weeks of the season, added their crucial second four minutes from time. Former Crawley man Nigel Brake provided the chance for experienced striker Eddie Akumoah to beat Peter Trego with a left footed effort into the far corner.

Tamba Ngongou and Daniel Bulley replaced Alexis Charalambous and Che Stadhart, as Margate suffered their eighth defeat of the season.