With England facing Germany at Wembley and the blustery winds making it feel like temperatures had plummeted to sub zero, the home side knew there was never going to be a high number through the turnstiles, however the figure would have no doubted disappointed.
The 'Gate' did very little in the first half to repay those fans that had stuck by the side that hadn't won in the League since recording a 1-0 away win at play-off chasing Wealdstone on the 5th September. The visitors showed their game plan from the beginning as they got men behind the ball and attacked when they could.
It was the visitors that shaved the better of very few chances in the first half, however 'Gate' player/manager Craig Holloway wasn't to be beaten as he pulled off two sublime saves in the opening 30 minutes to keep the scores level at 0-0.
While Holloway remained resolute in goal, the home side looked very lacklustre in any attacking moves and probably had their number one to thank for going in level at half-time.
Whatever Holloway and Simon Osborne said at half-time certainly worked as Margate came out having stepped up their work rate and creativity. The obvious improvement came via the Kent sides two Greek midfielders Jack Summoutis and Giannoulis Fakinos who's constant searching passes and vision were key to some much better play by the home side.
It looked though as the minutes ticked by that the home support would be going home frustrated as Phil Walsh who's work rate couldn't be questioned continued to be frustrated up front on his own as the 'Gate' went in search of the three points.
However, with 71 minutes on the clock the home sides pressure finally told as Fakinos delivered a fine angled ball to the fast post where the towering Walsh cushioned the ball to the feet of Defender Gary Borrowdale who couldn't miss from just four yards.
Despite the Leagues basement side threatening with a few half chances, Margate comfortably saw out the final 19 minutes with relative ease as the Carshalton drought in front of goal continued with still just 14 League goals scored so far this season.
After the game Margate joint manager Holloway said he was pleased to earn the much needed three points.
"It's been a difficult few weeks with results, we gave the lads a kick up the backside at half time and the work rate improved in the second half."
We looked lacklustre in the first half but obviously what we said at half-time gave the boys a lift and our second half was a lot better" added the 29 year old.
Holloway was named man of the match after keeping his side in the game in the first half, however the gaffer thinks there might have been something else to it.
"I think I have done quite well this season in goal, but my friend Paul was sponsoring the game so he might have been being a bit bias with that decision."
The boss was also happy to see Borrowdale on the scoresheet, despite being a defender.
"Ideally you want all your players getting on the scoresheet to take that pressure off your strikers but credit to Phil Walsh he has been our best player over the last few weeks.
"He is winning plenty of balls in the air and bringing other players into the game so a lot of credit must go to him."
With the attendance at just 82, Holloway urged the Margate supporters to come out in their numbers to help the Club achieve their promotion ambitions.
"It's always a quiet game when England play but we need them to get behind us to help us get to where we think we can get this club, but I am sure that will come if we keep winning games."
Margate climbed to 10th in the Ryman Premier League and travel to seventh placed Lowestoft on Saturday.
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