Ira Jackson hit a superb second-half goal but it was not enough to earn Steve Watt his second win as Margate manager.

The 20-year-old winger marked his recall to the starting line-up by conjuring a goal out of nothing seven minutes after half-time but with 11 minutes remaining Josh Hare brought Eastbourne level.

The result leaves bottom club Gate 12 points from safety at the foot of Vanarama National League South with just six matches remaining.

Boss Watt made three changes to the side beaten 4-0 at Dartford in midweek one of them enforced due to winger Matty Fanimo's hip injury.

Aiden Palmer and Jeffrey Monakana also dropped out with Tarik Moore-Azille and Jackson recalled and winger Dave Martin given his debut after signing on loan from Bromley on deadline day.

Stephane Ngamvoulou, who also joined on Thursday from Oxford City, was on the bench.

Eastbourne's side included ex Gate striker Jamie Taylor, former Dover duo Craig Stone and Ian Simpemba and scorer Hare, son of current Hastings manager Darren.

The visitors had beaten Welling 7-3 on Tuesday and they began full of confidence, creating two great chances in the opening five minutes.

First Taylor was only just off target with an overhead kick, and then big striker Nathaniel Pinney missed an even better chance losing his man with a cute turn only to drag his shot wide.

However, they were unable to maintain that early momentum and gradually Margate began to settle. Some good footwork by new boy Martin earned their first corner which was swiftly followed by two more but all came to nought.

Former Millwall man Martin made an impressive start in blue but when his cross was spilled by Eastbourne keeper Lewis Carey none of his team-mates were close enough to capitalise.

The home side's best chance before the break came on 38 minutes when the ball broke in the box to Tarik Moore-Azille but the big centre-half fired straight at Lewis Carey from eight yards - a yard either side and it was a goal.

Margate made an encouraging start to the second half, with Martin's early free-kick being deflected for corner which went right across face of goal.

Moments later good link up between Pape Gueye and Dean Morgan ended with the latter firing just wide for Gate but the breakthrough deservedly arrived on 52 minutes with Jackson's outstanding strike.

Danger to the Borough goal looked minimal when Jackson got the ball wide on the left but he cut in before despatching a cracking 20-yard right-foot effort which flashed past Borough keeper Carey and in off the far post.

The goal was his third in the last two home games, the on loan Dover youngster having struck twice in the 2-0 win over Gosport on March 11.

There was no immediate response from the visitors but they went close twice in a matter of minutes midway through the half, first when Pinney curled wide and then when Gavin McCallum's low cross just eluded substitute Reece Connolly, who recently had a brief spell at Hartsdown.

Jackson almost claimed a second with a 20-yard drive that whistled wide but boss Watt had just replaced Morgan with Ngamvoulou to give his side fresh legs when Hare broke into the box and fired in via the far upright to deny Gate a much-needed win.

Margate: Miles, Hamilton, Sessegnon, Evans, Moore-Azille, Swift, Jackson, Rogers, Gueye, Morgan (Ngamvoulou 78mins), Martin (Akindayini 86mins); Subs: Palmer, Pajetat, McFarlane

Eastbourne: Carey, Hare, Stone, Khinda-John, Simpemba, Hobson, Baptista (Connolly 60mins), Worrall, Pinney, Taylor, McCallum (Oxlade-Chamberlain 87mins); Subs: Tate, Bosma, Horlock

Attendance: 483