Margate have suffered a blow with the news that 13-goal Charlie Allen has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.

The 22-year-old former Gillingham midfielder has been sidelined since suffering the problem in the 2-1 home defeat by Dulwich Hamlet last month.

However, Gate's hopes of lifting the Ryman League Premier Division title were boosted on Tuesday night when leaders Maidstone lost 2-1 away to 10-man Hampton & Richmond Borough.

That result leaves Terry Brown's men five points behind their Kent rivals with two games in hand.

Meanwhile, Margate have been drawn away to Hendon in the semi-finals of the Robert Dyas League Cup.