Margate ended a run of 10 successive defeats with a 4-3 win over play-off chasers Hemel Hempstead to keep their hopes of staying in Vanarama National League South alive.

They led 3-1 at half-time, before Luke Moore added a fourth nine minutes into the second half, but Hemel refused to buckle, as Kyle Connolly and Graeme Montgomery pulled two back in an increasingly fiesty and niggly second half, with more than six minutes added on at the end in front of a crowd of more than 800 at Hartsdown Park.

David Hunt gave Gate the perfect start with a goal inside the first minute.

They won a free-kick inside just outside the box, and the Gate skipper curled it into the top far corner, with Hemel keeper Jamie Butler only able to stand and watch.

Chris Lewington then kept the hosts in front with a great save from Harry Hickford.

Nathan Green went close with a shot which Butler tipped over the bar.

Gate doubled the lead five minutes later, Matt Johnson crashing home a right foot effort, converting Charlie Wassmer's free kick.

Lewis Taylor fired wide from 30 yards, before Lewington made another good save from full-back Ben Herd's free-kick.

Hemel pulled one back eight minutes before the break, Graeme Montgomery firing home from outside the area, but Gate's response was immediate.

Johnson was the provider, laying the ball back for Nathan Green to fire home left-footed and send the home side in 3-1 up at the break.

Moore added Margate's fourth soon after the break, rounding keeper Knight.

Kyle Connolly got Hemel's second after 65 minutes - firing home from close range, before Montgomery kept things alive with his second, a left-footed strike from inside the box.

Hemel had appeals for a hand-ball turned down - Hunt needed lengthy treatment before the final whistle proved a relief to Gate players and supporters alike.

Margate: Lewington, Hunt, N Green, Wills, Wassmer, Wilson, L.Taylor, Moore, Johnson, Jolley, D Green (85mins). Subs: Sembie-Ferris, Andrews, Rowland, Laing. Attendance: 823