Zac Attwood scored twice as Margate eased to their first win in five games beating AFC Hornchurch 5-1 at Hartsdown Park on Tuesday.

Attwood marked his return to Ryman League, Premier Division action for the first time since New Years Day, by opening the scoring, as Gate hit four in the opening half hour in front of a crowd of only 402, before completing his double with a second in stoppage-time.

Freddie Ladapo, Ben Gerring, his first for the club, and Tambesong Eyong, back in the side after illness added the others as Gate produced the performance boss Terry Brown wanted ahead of the sell-out, all-ticket trip to leaders Maidstone at the weekend.

Luke Moore also hit a post in the first half.

The win also closed the gap on second placed Hendon to three points with a game and hand.

Hornchurch pulled one back just past the hour through Kieron Bishop, but the defeat, and results elsewhere, dropped the Essex side to third from bottom in the table.

Goalkeeper Callum Chafer denied Gate the chance of adding to their lead, before Attwood got the late fifth.