Margate suffered a third straight league defeat as they fell to a 2-0 defeat away at Herne Bay on Tuesday evening.
Manager Jamie Coyle named new signing Perri Iandolo in the starting XI, whilst Bradley Schafer and Connor Wilkins led the line in the absence of Javaun Splatt who was away on international duty.
Margate started brightly and should have been ahead within 60 seconds as a pull back fell to Wilkins six yards out but he smashed his effort narrowly over the bar.
Margate continued to press from the front and almost took the lead in the 12th minute as Olu Oluwatimilehin left fly from 25-yards which crashed off the post, before Schafer running in sent the rebound over the top as Margate saw more chances squandered.
In the 24th minute, Herne Bay took the lead as a corner swung in was headed home by Aarons-Royal to give the home side a lead.
Margate continued to press with three successive corners coming to nothing after Wilkins saw his effort deflect narrowly wide.
Margate had Harry Seaden to thank in the 29th minute as he superbly denied Herne Bay striker Kokoshi with a fingertip save as the game moved towards half-time.
In the five minutes proceeding the break, Margate had three more glorious chances as firstly Schafer saw a curled effort go just wide, before Oluwatimilehin again forced Tom Wray into a save.
The final chance before the break came just seconds before the whistle as a dep cross to the back post found Wilkins who saw his brilliant header superbly saved by Wray as the ‘Gate went in behind.
Margate’s injury woes struck again in the 48th minute as Caney-Bryan who had held the ball up so well all night went down with a suspected hamstring injury, meaning he was replaced by Ryan Huke.
Despite their positive first half, Margate had lost a key component in Caney-Bryan and almost found themselves further behind as Eurotor somehow smashed over from six yards as the hosts missed a glorious opportunity to double their lead.
Huke looked lively and nodded a ball down to Schafer who showed great skill to get free and attempt to lob Wray, however the ball fell inches wide of the post.
More corners kept the pressure on the home teams goal, however time was running out for the ‘Gate. With nine minutes left, Wilkins again rose highest only to see his header brilliantly saved again by Wray.
The best chance for the ‘Gate to level in the second half fell in the first minute of injury time as a long Ronald Sithole throw bounced all the way into the centre where Wilkins unleashed a fierce effort which somehow went an inch wide as Margate stared a third league defeat in a e=row in the face.
Their evening was compounded in the 95th minute as Robe broke away and finished the game off and condemn the ‘Gate to another September defeat.
Margate XI: Seaden, Thomas, Adewoju, Iondolo (Ossai 90’), Schafer, O’Mara, Dalton (Williams 82’), Wilkins, Sithole, Caney-Bryan (Huke 49’), Oluwatimilehin (Njie 64’)
Subs not used: McIntyre
Attendance
854
