Margate 2 Sutton United 2

Trailing 2-0 to a Margate side who had signed ex-Sutton players Steve Weston and Paul Nicholls the previous week, United had been thrown a lifeline through Jason Goodliffe just before half-time.

Margate, who had been rolled over by Sutton on the opening day of the Ryman League season, have strengthened their team considerably since then, also welcoming back former favourite John Keister from Dover Athletic last week.

After just five minutes West used his aerial strength to head a right wing corner goalwards, only for Billy Hawes to clear off the line.

At the other end, Hawes’ throw-in was met by Jason Goodliffe’s powerful header, and Nicholls made an excellent reflex save.

The keeper then went low to his right to smother Alan Pouton’s shot from the edge of the area.

Defences were on top for long spells, with Justyn Roberts deputising well for the injured Karim El-Salahi in Sutton’s defence.

Sonny Cobbs produced one good run for Sutton, but was unable to find the finish.

Margate’s chief threat came from the long throws of Aaron Lacy, sent off before half time at Gander Green Lane last month, and for the most part United dealt with them well.

However, six minutes before half time they were unable to clear a long throw from the right and the ball flashed across goal for substitute Sam Cliff, an early replacement for the injured Dan Young, to fire low past Kevin Scriven.

Worse followed two minutes later as Bradley Thomas, brought in to bolster the defence as Billy Hawes moved up to midfield, won a good tackle on the edge of the Sutton penalty area but was then penalised by referee Gary Croft for an alleged push as he tried to bring the ball out.

However aggrieved Sutton were at the decision, the defending from the free kick was still poor as West and Curtis Robinson were allowed free runs to meet Wayne Wilson’s delivery.

Although Robinson was credited with the goal, West, United’s former assistant manager confirmed after the game the suspicions of those who thought he had got the final touch.

At this point, Sutton’s hopes of repeating their run to the first round of last season’s competition looked remote.

However, they reduced the arrears before the break.

A cross shot from Sam Gargan was touched away by Nicholls, the assistant referee spotting the deflection and persuading Mr Croft to go against his initial inclination to award a goal kick.

When Pouton’s corner came in towards the far post, Goodliffe ignored mayhem on the goalline to power a downward header in to the net.

The half time whistle went as soon as Margate had restarted, and given a huge boost by the goal, Sutton started the second half brightly, with Cobbs again battling his way through before firing in a shot that Nicholls pushed up with just enough force for it to carry over the bar.

They were unable to maintain any momentum, though, with Margate breaking up the game whenever possible.

Despite making all three substitutions it wasn’t obvious where an equaliser might come from.

Promising approach play too often broke down on the edge of the area.

Gargan sent a header wide and Roberts skied a half-volley over from the edge of the penalty area.

West twice might have secured the game for the Kent side. First, he climbed to meet a Lacy throw-in but headed wide.

Then, with produced a powerfully struck free kick from 25 yards that Scriven needed two attempts to hold.

The manner of United’s salvation was one familiar to their supporters this season.

Hawes launched the ball forward from defence to allow Payne to race away from his marker and hammer the ball past Nicholls as the keeper came out.

With six minutes added on at the end, Sutton now looked likelier to snatch the game, and Margate had to scramble one Matt Hann free kick away from the six yard line, but ultimately the sides were left to resume battle at Gander Green Lane on Tuesday.

Margate: P Nicholls, A Lacy(sub D Lombardo 88), C Robinson, K Millington (sub L Smith 53), D Young (sub S Cliff 19), J Haverson, J Keister, W Wilson, J Healy, L Blackman, S West. Subs n/u B Lewis, J Taylor. Goals: Cliff(39), West(41). Booked: Robinson (22-foul).

Sutton: K Scriven, B Thomas (sub A Joseph 63), A Bray , J Goodliffe, J Roberts, S Cobbs, B Hawes, A Pouton (sub S McKimm 74), S Payne, S Gargan, D Phillips (sub M Hann 63). Subs n/u K Beaney, P Smith. Goals: Goodliffe (45), Payne (85). Booked: Payne (57-kicking the ball away).

Referee: G Croft (Battle) Attendance: 402 The winners will be at home to Uxbridge, of the Zameretto League South and West Division, in the second qualifying round.