Carshalton Athletic 1 Margate 2

A Ryman League Premier Division game that was of crucial importance to both sides ended with the points going to Margate on Tuesday night, and the seasiders’ recent results suggest that they have the better chance of Premier Division football next season.

After the morale-raising victory on Saturday, this was a setback for Carshalton but, on the balance of play, it was hard to deny that Margate deserved their win against a Robins team that again had to reshuffle the line-up to cover for injured and suspended players, subsequently lacking the fluency that comes with a settled side.

Less than five minutes in, Carshalton’s only central defender, Justyn Roberts, had to leave the field injured to be replaced by midfielder, Neil Lampton, leaving the home team to play out the game with two full-backs covering the centre of the defence and two midfielders guarding the flanks.

Margate looked far more purposeful going forward and Dan Stubbs tested Nic Hamann with a stinging shot that the keeper did well to deflect around the post.

Just before the half-hour, they were in front with a goal that fully exploited the Robin’s defensive frailties.

Rashid Kamara was easily dispossessed in midfield and, when the ball was swept out to the left, Barry Stevens was out-numbered by Margate players.

His attempted tackle was unsuccessful as the visitors sprinted forward, although James Pinnock’s goal owed a little to good fortune, the ball appearing to go in off the striker's shins.

Margate were keen to make the most of the advantageous conditions playing down the slope and it looked as though they would double the lead just before the break, when a superb half-volley by Jay Saunders appeared to be on its way in, only for the ball to strike the upright before being hacked away.

From the next attack, the Robins were back on terms; Richard Jolly’s shot was cleared off the line with keeper Jamie Turner beaten - Adrian Toppin's follow-up header was also blocked but, finally, a shot by Lampton crossed the line to give the Robins a boost when they needed it most.

For much of the second half, play was literally bogged down in midfield. Tackles were flying in from both sides with the referee again being perhaps over-zealous with his name-collecting, bearing in mind the conditions.

The experienced Tommy Williams, on his return to the Robins team after several years away, showed the effort and encouragement that may yet rescue a struggling side, but not on this evening.

With just under 15 minutes left, Margate again took the lead with what proved the deciding goal.

Carshalton failed to clear a free-kick into the area and Dan Stubbs scored from close range, despite Carshalton’s claims that a Margate player was in an offside position. There was plenty of incident in the final minutes.

Byron Harrison’s shot on the turn from Stevens's cross was too high and an appeal for a penalty when Jolly hit the deck when tackled in the area was ignored.

Play was even halted when the referee was hit full in the face by a clearance, but Mr Spain was fortunately able to continue after treatment. Time ran out and Ian Hazel now has to try to pick up his side for the next challenge against Billericay this Saturday.

Robins: Nick Hamann, David Ray, Rob Watkins, Justyn Roberts (Neil Lampton), Tommy Williams, Adrian Toppin, Barry Stevens, Ricardo Joseph, Byron Harrison, Richard Jolly, Rashid Kamara (Pico Pelayo Gomez)

Subs not used: Luke Badiali, Jimmy Hearne, Dominic Casciato

Attendance: 201