A lethargic looking Margate fell to their first defeat in seven games as they were beaten 1-0 at home by Herne Bay on Easter Monday.
Henry Young came back into the side whilst Lewis Knight and TT Walters dropped out from Saturday’s tremendous 2-0 away win at AFC Whyteleafe.
On a sun soaked Bank Holiday Monday, 771 turned out to see if the Blues could continue their fine recent form and look to close the gap on the divisions top five, however they were to be left disappointed.
It was a uneventful opening 45 minutes which saw neither side really show much attacking intent. Margate’s only really chance came direct from a corner as Ben Greenhalgh saw his in-swinging corner punched off the line by Joe Coleman in the 6th minute.
Herne Bay forced Dino Kaiser into a save down to his right after 22 minutes and that pretty much summed up the first half. Kane Haysman and Ibrahim Olutade both had half chances smothered by Coleman but both sides went in level at the break.
Not much changed in the second 45 minutes with neither side looking dangerous in an uneventful and tight fixture at Hartsdown Park. Herne Bay did start to show some signs of attacking intent with twenty or so minutes to go.
That intent turned into a goal in the 73rd minute as substitute Johan Caney-Bryan rose highest to nod the visitors in front.
Margate, desperate for a way back into the game went a bit frantic and struggled to force any real opportunities. Kai Garande saw a lofted cross from the left tipped over by Coleman as the game ticked towards 90 minutes.
With eight minutes additional time there was some hope for Margate as a free-kick was awarded out on the left. A long ball to the back post was nodded down by Tom Derry to Greenhalgh who appeared to be hauled to the ground, only for the referee to waive play on.
There was to be no time for Margate to have another go as they suffered their first defeat in seven and lost further ground in the play-off race, all but ending their hopes of making the top five.
Margate: Kaiser, Hatfull, Oke, Young (Walters 67’), Hudson, Blackman (Derry 78’), Olutade, Greenhalgh, Davey, Haysman, Garande
Subs not used: Knight, Nkwocha, Hoxha
Attendance
771
