Ben Greenhalgh felt Margate’s derby draw with Ramsgate would have been a good match for fans to watch on Boxing Day.

A sell-out crowd of 2,500 saw substitute Max Walsh net a stoppage-time equaliser at Hartsdown Park to preserve Gate's unbeaten Isthmian South East run, which now stands at 12 fixtures.

That came after strikes from defenders Joe Ellul and Jay Leader had sandwiched Margate captain Harry Hudson's goal.

While Margate didn’t get their second goal until the 93rd minute, player-manager Greenhalgh claimed he was slightly disappointed his third-placed team didn’t take maximum points.

Greenhalgh said: “We always said that it was going to be entertaining. It was a game where they came at us - and we came at them.

“For all the spectators, I think it was a good one to watch.

“We had a really sloppy spell from 25 to 45 minutes but it looked like we were going to see that out. Disappointingly, we did let in a goal.

Report: Margate 2-2 Ramsgate

“It was a great time for them to score and a good time for them to score the second when we went and dominated the second half. After we scored, they got one back at us.

“But we showed good character. We looked like the team who were going to win, in my opinion, and we just kept going.

“We had lots of chances. On another day, I think Ibz (top scorer Ibrahim Olutade) scores two or three.

“If I’m honest, we come away slightly disappointed that we haven’t got the three points.”

Greenhalgh was frustrated to see his side concede twice from corners. They did score from a set-piece themselves, though, as Hudson nodded in his second goal this term after Lewis Knight’s initial header from a free-kick.

He said: “We were losing - twice - so to come back twice shows a brilliant attitude. But we were critical of each other.

“We said at half-time it wasn’t a good enough goal to concede and the second goal wasn’t a good enough goal to concede.

“We know what they’re good at. We know they’re good at hanging the ball, set-pieces, and we didn’t get the first contact and we didn’t get the second contact but, at the other end, it’s brilliant Knighty and Harry have got first contacts to their headers.

“We have scored a goal that way, which is something we need to have been better at this season.”

Margate made a fast start to the game. But they didn’t score in that period and Ben Smith’s side grew into the fixture, netting the match’s first goal on the stroke of half-time.

“It’s frustrating we didn’t score one or two in the first 15 minutes,” said Greenhalgh. “I think that’s been our problem for a lot of the season.

“Especially on an occasion like this, it’s not one where you’re going to get loads of chances. But we did create quite a lot of chances, to be fair, and we should have scored more goals.

“There’s a lot of positive things to take away and critical things to take away.”

There was plenty of debate around the scorer of Gate’s all-important second. Away keeper Henry Newcombe tipped against the upright from Walsh’s curling shot.

Fellow substitute Louie Atkins made sure from yards out despite suggestions of offside but, after plenty of debate, the goal was given to midfielder Walsh.

Greenhalgh said: “It’s a brilliant bit of play from Max Walsh and he added a bit of quality when he came on, which we needed.

“We were lacking that bit of quality around the box. It looked like it was in.

“My worry was whether Atko was offside - but it was going to be one of them who’s given it.”

While it was a second Thanet derby meeting between the teams this term, it was a first in a league fixture in more than 15 years and, despite another big attendance, it seemed to go off relatively trouble-free.

Greenhalgh, whose men had won 1-0 at Southwood in the Kent Senior Cup in September, said: “If you look at the Ramsgate fixture in the Kent Cup, they had 1,800 there, then.

“Everyone behaved and it was a good occasion. Obviously, we won that game so it could have gone south.

“Then again here, I think it was brilliantly done. I don’t know the ins and outs - the fans usually let me know that - but we opened both ends. There seemed to be a lot of food and beverages to go around. It felt like a good occasion.

“Ricky [Owen], the chairman, came in and offered to get the boys drinks afterwards.

“It’s great to have that sort of care being shown by the chairman. I think we have got a very good relationship going on there.

“On days like today, that helps even more.”

There is a swift turnaround for Gate, who end 2024 at East Grinstead tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon.

Greenhalgh said: “The schedule in non-league football is a bit too harsh, I think, but at least we’re all in the same boat.

“East Grinstead played on Boxing Day as well so they’re going to be leggy, we’re going to be leggy. It’s going to be a tough game but we’re still top on away form.

“We’ll try to put in a dogged and strong performance, and come away with points again.”

While Greenhalgh has been to East Grinstead previously as part of his full-time position as Dartford’s Academy boss, taking Fulham winger Martial Godo for a rare outing for the Darts, he thinks it will be his own maiden appearance at East Court.

He said: “I have been down there, watching games, but it’ll be my first time, playing there.

“I’m looking forward to it and looking forward to playing against a team that are pretty consistent. They’re not going to be a walkover.

“They’re on a good run and they beat Ramsgate at their place [2-1 earlier this month] so it’s not going to be an easy game.”

East Grinstead drew 1-1 at Eastbourne Town on Boxing Day.