Gate leave it late as they down Wingate

Margate recorded a second home win in a week to end a turbulent few days which had seen a 3-0 defeat away at Lowestoft just days before joint manager Craig Holloway stepped down from his role.

The 'Gate' knew they needed to start quickly against Wingate & Finchley who found themselves below the Blues in the Ryman Premier League table before kick-off.

The game started quickly, however for the home side it was a disastrous opening minute as the visitors fired in a long range effort which was carelessly spilled into the net by Holloway who remains Margate number one despite stepping down as joint manager.

The home side looked more threatening than there last fixture and they found themselves level in the tenth minute as Matt Bodkin calmly slotted home from 12 yards after Charles Ademano was chopped down in the box. With Simon Osborn seemingly taking full control of first team affairs, the Blues looked lively going forward.

Ademano caused Wingate problems with his direct running at the defence, while Matt Bodkin playing in a more attacking role also looked to add to his tally. Phil Walsh who has struggled to score goals of late was also a handful as he won header after header to cause the visitors back line even more trouble.

It was the work of Walsh which assisted as Margate took the lead just five minutes before the break. A fine corner was swung in with Walsh rising highest, only to see his header crash back off the post but only to the feet of Gary Borrowdale who calmly prodded the ball home to make it 2-1.

The Gate would have hoped to hold onto their lead until half-time, however the visitors had other ideas as Bobby Aisen fired home from 12 yards after Leon Smith had been hacked down after a mazy run into the home sides box.

The second half didn't live up to the first as both sides failed to carve out any open opportunities. It was the home side who created the best of the opportunities as Walsh and Bodkin came closest.

Osborn wasn't to go without a win in his first game in charge as the Gate struck the winner in the 84th minute with the goal coming from an unlikely source.

It was Richard Avery who was released down the centre before seeing his fierce effort parried, but only back to his feet as he slammed home the winner to send home support into a frenzy as they celebrated a second straight home win.

The win saw Margate move up to 9th in the table and just eight points behind the Ryman Premier League play-off places.

After the game new manager Simon Osborn admitted the play-offs were his aim: "We have to aspire to be the best we can. We targeted the play-offs at the start of the season and that's where we want to be at the end of the season."

Speaking about a turbulent few days at the club Osborn said: "I don't think Craig's decision had an effect. It was something Craig had been mulling over for a few weeks. Craig's time as a manager will come but for now he has some other plans and management obviously takes up a lot of your time."

"Craig is still young, he is still by no doubt the best keeper in this league."

Ryan Dolby was also pleased with a second home win within a week: "It was a good three points. We played well in spells but we grinded out the win and that's fantastic for the football Club."

"Craig's departure as joint manager didn't effect us. He is still a big character within the dressing room, it just means Simon might have to plan a bit more on his own but it wont effect us."

Margate welcome Canvey Island to Hartsdown Park on Saturday as they look for their third consecutive home win.