Substitute Ira Jackson scored two late goals as Margate won for the first time in 20 Vanarama National League South matches.

Jackson claimed his first from the spot after 88 minutes and then tucked home a second in stoppage time after being teed up by Jeffrey Monakana.

Margate's Dean Morgan had earlier missed an 11th minute spot kick while Gosport's Ben Wright hit the crossbar from two yards while the game was still goalless.

The win was Margate's first since beating Hemel Hempstead at Hartsdown on October 8 and Jackson's first ended more than 15 hours without a goal. The Dover loanee had been the last Gate player to score, against Welling on New Year's Day.

Margate's side showed two changes from that which had shared a goalless draw at Concord last week to end their run of 18 straight defeats.

Returning striker Michael Thalassitis and Jerson Dos Santos came in with Pape Gueye and Jackson dropping to the bench. Former Aston Villa centre-half Ben Swift made his home debut while winger Matthias Fanimo returned to the squad after an absence of several weeks.

The home side - without a home goal since October 22 - made by far the best start and should have broken their long drought in the 11th minute when ex-Gate defender Charlie Wassmer wrestled Dos Santos to the ground to concede a penalty.

Morgan - still seeking his first Gate goal - stepped up to take the spot kick but blazed his effort high over the bar.

Dos Santos looked particularly lively for Gate on the left and showed some good skills to create a shooting chance on 19 minutes only for his effort to be blocked.

Gosport had created little but should have gone ahead in the 33rd minute after a poor clearance from Tarik Moore-Azille. Nick Bignal drilled a shot towards goal and somehow Wright diverted the ball onto the underside of the bar from two yards.

Gosport were encouraged by that but it was the Blues who had the last chance of the first half when Monakana crossed low from the right and Dos Santos, stretching, stabbed his effort wide.

The Blues almost made the perfect start to the second half when Morgan spun to hit a shot that seemed destined for the top corner before Gosport keeper Nick Jordan palmed it away brilliantly.

Gosport responded with top scorer Wright spinning his man in the box before sending a rising shot just over on 51 minutes but just after the hour the Blues created another good opening.

Thalassitis did well to pick out Morgan and his low driven cross just eluded the sliding Jackson, who was a half-time replacement for Dos Santos.

Morgan then curled a free-kick wide of the far post but that was to be his last contribution before being replaced by Fanimo.

Swift was then just inches a way with a header that was deflected just wide of the far post, but that elusive goal did not look like coming until two minutes from time when Gosport keeper Jordan clipped Gate sub Gueye as he homed in on goal.

Referee Lloyd Wood had no hesitation in pointing the spot, Jordan was sent off and Jackson confidently despatched the penalty past sub keeper Lewis Watch.

The jubilation around Hartsdown was unrestrained and there was more to come in time added on when Monkana crossed low from the right and Jackson tapped home from close range.

The win was Gate's first under boss Steve Watt. They remain bottom but are now four points adrift of Bishop's Stortford, five behind Gosport and within 10 of Whitehawk, the side just outside of the relegation zone with nine games remaining.

Margate: Ward, Sessegnon, Palmer, Rogers, Moore-Azille, Swift, Monakana, Hamilton, Thalassitis (Gueye 72mins), Morgan (Fanimo 67mins), Dos Santos (Jackson, half-time). Subs (not used): Akindayini, Adelakun.

Gosport: Jordan, Sanders, Bird, Dawson, Wassmer, Wright (Suraci 81mins; Watch 88mins), Oastler, Harding, Bignal, Lee, Masterton; Subs (not used): Brice, Lanahan, May.

Attendance: 434