Freddie Ladapo ended his Hartsdown goal drought but it was not enough to prevent 10-man Margate's fifth successive defeat in Vanarama National League South on Saturday.

Ladado scored a hat-trick for Crystal Palace Under-21s against Watford last Monday but his first-half penalty against Hayes was his first Margate goal in five matches.

By half-time Elliot Benyon had brought Hayes level from the spot and a scrappy goal from debut centre-half Sean Cronin early in the second half sent Nikki Bull's side to a third straight home defeat. The result saw Gate slip one place to 12th.

For the fifth game in a row Margate also had man sent off as substitute Brett Johnson saw red for a challenge on Hayes midfielder Shephard Murombedzi in time added on.

Margate's side showed two changes from the team which lost 2-0 at home to Oxford the previous week.

Centre-back Charlie Wassmer returned after suspension and Luke Moore was recalled to the starting line-up after being on the bench against Oxford.

Glenn Wilson and Lewis Taylor were both suspended - confirmation of the latter's two-game ban coming through on Thursday - while Brett Johnson dropped to the bench which also featured young duo Harry Phipps and Seb Rowland.

Midfielder David Hunt switched to right-back in Wilson's absence but Gate began like a side that had not won in four, with Hayes looking far sharper despite being on a run of only one win in six themselves.

The visitors could have been ahead inside four minutes when Elliot Benyon's shot on the turn was well saved by the legs of home keeper Chris Lewington. When the ball found its way back to the Hayes top scorer he turned it home but was ruled offside.

Hayes debutant centre-half Sean Cronin then headed into the side netting after arriving late at the far post and with the Gate defence again looking vulnerable Ashley Lodge shot wide from 12 yards when it looked easier to score.

Nathan Green was comfortably Gate's best player in the first half and he had their first chance on 28 minutes when he drilled the ball across the face of goal and wide of the far post.

That prompted a good little spell for Gate which was capped with the game's opening goal on the half hour. Ladapo looked a little late going down after Darren Purse's challenge but referee Stephen Bates pointed straight to the spot.

Ladapo actually kicked the ball against his own leg but his effort was enough to send keeper James Hamon the wrong way to claim his first Gate goal for five matches and only his second in 13 outings.

While there may have been protests from the visitors about the Gate penalty there were none about the foul which gave Hayes their equaliser six minutes before the break.

Nathan Green blotted his copybook by going into the back of Benyon who picked himself up to confidently send Lewington the wrong way from the spot.

Ladapo did find the net again for Gate before half-time but the effort was ruled out for handball and three minutes after the restart they were caught cold when Cronin bundled home Max Worsfold's corner from inside the six-yard box.

Hayes should have gone 3-1 ahead on 52 minutes when a slip by Jake Goodman left Benyon in on goal but Lewington got a big hand on the ball to keep out his shot.

The visitors seemed to go into their shell a bit after that and with Danny Green doing his best to prompt Gate, they tried to lift the tempo.

Benton remained a threat, putting one shot into the side netting before pulling another effort wide while for Gate Hunt got up well the far post but was unable to get any power on his header.

It took a great clearance in front of his own goal from veteran Purse to deny Gate from cashing in on Kane Wills' low cross on 79 minutes, and the veteran defender was then booked for coming back on without permission.

Gate were awarded an indirect free-kick inside the box as a result but Danny Green's shot was blocked and Gate's last chance went when sub Brett Johnson glanced a header just wide.

A bad afternoon turned worse in time added on when sub Johnson was sent off for a challenge on Murombedzi. He was the fifth Gate player sent off in as many matches.

Margate: Lewington, Hunt, N Green, M Johnson, Goodman (B Johnson 76mins), Wassmer, Wills (Rowland 85mins), D Green, Ladapo (Stuart 78mins), Cundle, Moore; Subs: Phipps, Jolley

Hayes & Yeading : Hamon, Ifil, Tumwa, Durojaiye, Purse, Cronin, Murombedzi, Lodge, Benyon, Williams, Worsfold; Subs: Ehui, Collins, Baffour, Brown, Pickford.

Attendance: 557.