An injury-hit Margate side were cruelly denied a deserved point on Saturday afternoon, as a 95th-minute penalty saw Sheppey United snatch a 2-1 win at Holm Park.
With manager Ben Greenhalgh absent due to family commitments, the ‘Gate made the trip without a recognised striker and were forced into further early changes after Brandon Davey was stretchered off with a hip injury just 14 minutes in. Despite the disruption, Margate produced a resilient performance and will feel hard done by to leave empty-handed.
The injury crisis deepened shortly after kick-off when Davey went down under what appeared to be an innocuous challenge. After a lengthy delay, he was stretchered off in clear discomfort, replaced by the returning Louie Atkins.
Despite the setback, it was Margate who created the first clear opportunity. A teasing TT Walters free-kick was flicked on by Atkins to Emmanuel Oke, whose back-post header was somehow turned wide from close range.
Atkins, full of running on his return, continued to cause problems, coming close again as Kane Haysman released him down the left. His low shot was bravely smothered by Sheppey keeper Harry Brooks, with Margate forcing successive corners.
The hosts’ most dangerous first-half moment came in stoppage time as a low cross flashed across the box untouched. At the other end, Margate had a strong penalty shout waved away in the final seconds of the half, as the teams went in level at 0-0.
Sheppey flew out of the traps after the restart and took the lead less than a minute into the second half, Billy Bennett firing home after a quick move caught Margate cold.
The hosts nearly doubled their advantage ten minutes later after a miscued clearance gifted a golden chance, but the striker dragged his shot wide. A deflected effort soon after rattled the bar, with Margate clinging on.
However, the ‘Gate regrouped and should have equalised in the 59th minute. A deep cross from Walters was nodded down to Atkins, who blasted his shot straight at Brooks from five yards out.
Just four minutes later, the deserved equaliser arrived. Atkins played a superb ball out to overlapping full-back Kai Garande, who surged forward and smashed the ball in at the near post to level the scores in the 62nd minute.
Margate took control of the midfield for much of the final 25 minutes, pressing for a winner without carving out another clear chance. At the other end, Reece Hobbs produced a vital save in the 86th minute to deny a late Sheppey effort.
As the game looked to be drifting to a draw, Sheppey were awarded a penalty in the 94th minute after a coming together in the box saw Onu go down. The striker picked himself up to convert the spot-kick and hand the hosts all three points.
There was still one last opportunity as the ball dropped to Max Walsh on the edge of the area, but his effort sailed over the bar, and the final whistle followed shortly after.
Match Details
Margate Scorer:
Kai Garande (62’)
Attendance: 372
Margate Line-up:
Starting XI: Hobbs, Hatfull (Husthwaite 69′), Oke, Knight, Hudson, Walters (Walsh 82′), Blackman, Davey (Atkins 17′), Haysman, Young, Garande (Nkwocha 64′)
Substitutes (not used): Wray
