Margate 2 Doncaster 1

MARGATE survived a nerve-jangling finale to topple the Nationwide Conference leaders before the biggest crowd of the season at Crabble - 1,002.

First-half strikes from Steve Watts and Paul Lamb gave Margate a lead they dug deep to defend after the break with Sam Sodje, Graham Porter and Lee Shearer outstanding.

Chris Kinnear's side took the lead slightly against the run of play on 23 minutes through Watts, who was in the right place at the right time to stab the ball home after Leon Braithwaite's shot had been deflected into his path.

The second goal arrived right on half time with Greg Oates' low centre eluding a mass of players before reaching Lamb who produced a sweet first-time finish from beyond the far post. Doncaster rung the changes at half time but for all their possession they rarely threatened the home goal.

They did pull a goal back on 83 minutes when substitute Paul Green volleyed home from 15 yards but in a frantic finish, which saw keeper Andy Warrington twice go up for corners, the equaliser eluded them.

Margate bid for a third successive win on Tuesday night when they entertain Dagenham and Redbridge at Crabble, kick-off 7.45pm.