Margate were 1-0 winners over Maidstone in a top-of-the-table clash at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday night.

Ryan Moss' goal on the break six minutes into the second half settled the match as Gate closed to within two points of Ryman League Premier Division leaders Stones.

Charlie Wassmer's clearance was picked up by Luke Moore and he fed Moss who finished superbly across Lee Worgan.

Defeat was harsh on a Stones side who did a lot of pressing but Gate were strong on the counter.

There was little between the sides in a tight first half, although the clearer chances fell Maidstone's way.

Alex Flisher drove over after breaking into the box in the opening minutes, while a mistake from Wassmer led to a neat move from which Frannie Collin fired wide.

United captain Steve Watt went close with a header from a Flisher cross and it took a superb challenge from John Beales to deny Collin after Gate captain Charlie Allen was caught out.

Blues, with boss Terry Brown urging them to keep the ball better, saw Watt block Barry Cogan's header from an Allen cross.

Maidstone responded well to falling behind with Collin missing the target when played through by Aaron Simpson.

Collin's quick free-kick then found the unmarked Watt whose strike hit the underside of the bar.

Penalty appeals were waved away after Collin raced through as United pushed for an equaliser, possibly tugged as he closed in on keeper Nikki Bull.

Watt had a diving header ruled out for offside after meeting Flisher's cross in the last 10 minutes.

Margate: Bull, Phipp, Riviere, Allen, Wassmer, Beales, Cogan (Taylor 59mins), Wills, Moss, Attwood, Moore. Subs not used: Cash, Prior, Stuart, Beadle.

Maidstone: Worgan, Simpson (Coyle 89mins), Mills, Watt, Miles, Rogers (Miller 76mins), Bodkin (Brown 56mins), Parkinson, May, Collin, Flisher. Subs not used: Phillips, Godmon.

Attendance: 2,306.