Kingstonian 2-1 Margate

Kingstonian recorded their third win in a row with a come from behind victory over Margate. While perhaps not the best performance of Ks' recent, the management expressed delight at seeing such a resilient showing and the win was their first after going behind since the beginning of October.

Despite Margate having the majority of the chances in the game, the result hung on a tactical change by the hosts soon after Margate had taken the lead as Allan Tait was thrown on up front to accompany Bobby Traynor, who started in place of the injured Stuart Duff. And after such a lengthy spell out with injury, Tait's return was a heroic one as he created both of his side's goals to secure a vital 3 points in the push for a playoff place.

A quiet first half belonged to Margate. As early as the second minute, Adam Burchill left Aaron Goode on the ground and struck the outside of Tolfrey's right-hand post. In fact, everything the visitors mustered going forward seemed to flow through Burchill, as late in the half he peppered Tolfrey's goal with efforts, forcing a good save and missing the target on other occasions. For Kingston, while the ball was knocked around the middle of the pitch nicely, there was a lack of cutting edge, Sam Clayton and Ryan Woods had efforts from distance but the best chance fell to Gary MacDonald whose header flew over.

The second half began in a similar fashion as Margate continued to press, Dan Stubbs saw a shot parried by Tolfrey while at the other end Goode's volley flew just wide. Eventually, Margate deservedly took the lead. Craig Cloke's free kick was blocked and while Robinson's follow up was superbly saved by Tolfrey, Tommy Murphy was there to apply the finish and give Margate the lead.

Finally Ks came out of their shell, changing to a 4-4-2 formation that almost paid immediate dividends as Matt Pattison found himself in acres of space at the back post but could only blaze over, however the hosts were not to be denied for long. A neat interchange of passes between Clayton, Traynor and Tait found Clayton free in the area, allowing him to cut inside and slide the ball beneath the oncoming Simon Overland to level the scores.

From then on, the game exploded into life as both teams searched for a winner, Goode and Clayton both tried their luck from distance before Tait once again turned architect, but Pattison's effort was heroically blocked by Cloke's face. Margate looked dangerous on the break and twice found themselves presented with glorious opportunities. Robinson was put through on goal, but delayed his effort and gave Tolfrey the time to make a good save, and just minutes later Murphy was given an even easier chance but went for power and the shot was last seen rising somewhere over the Tolworth Tower.

Margate were left ruing those missed chances as once again Tait laid on a goal, his cross from the right left Woods with plenty to do, but his turn and shot was perfect, as the ball zipped into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance. The visitors had late pressure without really forcing an opportunity and Ks held on for another important win that leaves them eagerly looking up the table.