Margate went top of Ryman League Premier Division for at least one night as they saw-off 10-man Bury Town 4-1 in Suffolk on Saturday afternoon.

Gate leapfrogged rivals Maidstone United – who do not play until Sunday afternoon – to go a point clear and took their goal difference to plus 23 after just 14 games.

Tom Phipp had already rattled the woodwork for the visitors when the hosts were reduced to 10-men eight minutes before the break when Nathan Clarke was shown a red-card.

Gate made their advantage pay with Ryan Moss breaking the deadlock six minutes later after the ball broke to him in the box.

Jamie Taylor added a crucial second goal a minute before the interval, finding the net at the third attempt after his first two shots were blocked by keeper Marcus Garnham, to eventually score his first for the club.

There was still time before the break for Gate keeper Nikki Bull to save a penalty, diving low to stop Curtis Shaw’s spot-kick and then superbly smothering the rebound too.

Phil Weavers did halve the deficit shortly after the hour mark, beating Bull from the edge of the box to give the hosts hope, and the Gate defence twice had to clear off the line as Bury piled on the pressure.

However Barry Cogan settled away nerves eight minutes from time as his cross from the left evaded everyone and found the corner, and substitute Jason Prior made the points safe a minute from time, slotting in Luke Moore’s cross at the back post with just his second touch.

Gate are in League Cup action at home to Hythe Town on Tuesday night.