Margate let a 2-0 lead slip at home to Deal on another miserable afternoon at Hartsdown Park for the ‘Gate on Saturday afternoon.
Both TT Walters and Ronnie Vint were only deemed fit enough for the bench after picking up knocks last weekend, meaning Manager Ben Greenhalgh returned Harrison Hatfull and Yaser Kasim to the side from the start.
It was a lively start to the afternoon with Ash Miller working some space after a quick Deal breakaway, however his effort was superbly blocked by Harry Hudson in the 5th minute.
Margate upped the tempo shortly after as Joe Taylor flashed a low drive across the box which Ibrahim Olutade couldn’t connect with, shortly before Greenhalgh saw a fine drive well saved as Margate looked to get ahead.
Greenhalgh again came close from a free-kick which went narrowly over before he gave the ‘Gate the lead as his low cross evaded everyone and nestled in the net.
A glorious chance for Margate to double their lead went begging as Taylor somehow miskicked a glorious opportunity allowing Deal to race down the other end as Owen Wilkinson hit a thunderous effort which smacked the crossbar to almost make it 1-1.
Margate did double their lead in the 44th minute as a Deal handball in the box allowed Sam Blackman to dispatch from 12 yards to give the Blues a healthy 2-0 advantage at the break. Margate thought it was 3-0 minutes later as Blackman converted a cross, however he was adjudged to have been offside.
Nevertheless, a 2-0 lead almost became 3-0 early in the second half as Greenhalgh saw a corner headed off the line before another of his fierce efforts was then well saved.
That was as good as it got though for the home fans as things started to turn in the 52nd minute as the visitors reduced the deficit with a contention for goal of the season at Hartsdown Park.
Deal broke quickly from a Margate corner and as their ball in the box was cleared to the edge of the box, Jack Penny struck a delightful effort past Dino Kaiser to make it 2-1.
More good work from Greenhalgh saw him rabona a cross to the back stick which almost saw Hudson connect for a third, however the afternoon took a cruel twist in the 69th minute as a cross into the box was turned home to make it 2-2.
Margate’s misery was compounded in the 84th minute as Deal completed their incredible comeback as a ball into the box eventually found its way to Rory Smith at the back post who tapped home to make it 3-2 to Deal.
There was no comeback from Margate as they offered very little in the final minutes to level the game as they fell to a fourth home defeat in their last five home games.
Margate XI: Kaiser, Hatfull, Oke, Hudson, Blackman (Walsh 87’), Olutade ( Walters 62’), Taylor, Greenhalgh, Haysman, Garande, Kasim (Young 79’)
Subs not used: Knight, Vint
Margate Goalscorer’s
Ben Greenhalgh 36’
Sam Blackman 44’
Attendance
527
