Margate suffered a frustrating start to life in Vanarama National League South when they were held at home by Truro.

Danny Green's 48th-minute header gave the Gate the initiative but they failed to build on it and after Aaron Dawson's 65th-minute header had deservedly brought Truro level, the visitors could have won it.

Margate were reduced to 10 men when David Hunt was sent off for fouling Isaac Vassell in the box but Nikki Bull saved Edward Palmer's 80th-minute penalty.

Both teams then hit the woodwork in the dying minutes.

Gate fielded seven debutants and encouraged by a six-game unbeaten pre-season campaign, they did most of the attacking in the first half without really coming close to a breakthrough.

Christian Jolley did have the ball in the net in the 11th minute after dispossessing big Truro defender Palmer but he was adjudged to have come back from an offside position and the effort was ruled out.

Five minutes later Lewis Taylor picked Jolley out with a fine crossfield ball only for visiting keeper Martin Rice to spread himself and block with his legs.

The next chance came midway through the half when Jolley's dangerous cross was half-cleared and Solomon Taiwo acrobatically volleyed over.

Margate threatened again on 34 minutes when Nathan Green's deep cross was met at the far post by Jolley but his header across goal went behind team-mate Ryan Moss.

Little had been seen of Truro as an attacking force at this stage but there were a couple of late scares for Gate, first when Dan Green's goalbound effort was charged down and then when ex-Plymouth striker Vassell went clear but was denied by a combination of Bull and defender Brett Johnson.

The visitors had a half-hearted penalty appeal on 38 minutes when Vassell went down under challenge from Johnson but referee Paul Kelly was having none of it and right at the end of the half Shane White's cross was fumbled by Bull but full-back Wilson came to his rescue by brilliantly blocking Shane Krac's volley on the line.

Whatever boss Brown said at half-time it worked with Margate needing just three minutes to go ahead as Nathan Green's excellent cross was glanced home at the near post by fellow debutant Danny Green.

Soon after Lewis Taylor almost stole in at the far post but almost from nowhere Truro drew level in the 65th minute.

The impressive Vassell sent over a deep teasing cross and Aaron Dawson stole in on the blindside of Nathan Green to power his header home.

Vassell continued to cause the Gate defence problems and went close twice within a matter of minutes. First he rolled a shot across goal after rounding Bull and then he forced the home keeper to beat away a fierce drive.

Gate's Wilson fired over at the other end but the game took a twist on 80 minutes when Hunt fouled Vassell in the box to concede a penalty and earn a red card.

Towering centre-half Palmer took the kick and fortunately for Gate, skipper Bull guessed the right way and made an excellent save to his right.

Truro substitute Cody Cooke might then have won it for the visitors when he smashed a volley against the crossbar and in time added on Gate's Moss headed against the post.

Margate: Bull, Wilson, Nathan Green, Hunt, Goodman, Johnson, Lewis Taylor, Taiwo (Moore 75mins), Moss, Jolley, Danny Green. Subs not used: Cash, Wills, Jamie Taylor, Rents. Attendance: 752.