United fail to clear Gate (15.02.05)

MARGATE celebrated the news of their anticipated return to their spiritual Hartsdown Park ground with a hard-fought victory over drop-zone rivals Maidenhead United on Tuesday night.
On a heavy and soggy pitch, Maidenhead fell behind in the 17th minute to a clinical finish from Gate top-scorer Che Stadhart, following good work down the right hand flank.
The Magpies response came in a positive fashion, with home custodian Trego forced to save from Bryan Smith, following a sweeping five man move, before a spectacular overhead kick from Lawrence Yaku flew just wide of the post.
The remainder of the half was a scrappy affair, with both sides struggling to master the inclement conditions.
However, just as half-time beckoned, Margate struck what was to prove a second and decisive blow.
A cross from the left by Benevides eluded everyone and fell kindly to the unmarked Baptiste at the far post. He could not fail to miss with his header, leaving the visitors to troop off at the interval unfortunate to be two goals behind.
The resumption of play saw a very positive start from the Magpies.
Sadly, before they managed to impose their authority, central defender Andy Dugdale was dismissed following a tangle with Smith.
Referee Hopkins turned down a chance to even things up 10 minutes later, when Bryan Smith was caught late by Baptiste.
However, the incident seemed to galvanise the Magpies, who went on to have their best spell of the match.
With Lewis Cook instrumental in most attacking moves, and substitute Simon Patterson’s height unsettling the previously comfortable home defence, the visitors peppered the Margate goal.
One of Maidenhead’s best chances came from keeper Trego’s only real error of the evening, when he punched a Cook free-kick past his own post under no pressure.
Margate then tried to kill the game off but the Magpies kept their rhythm and there was still time for Ben Townsend to meet a Patterson cross with a free header on the six yard line. Unfortunately, his effort was tamely placed straight at the keeper, to underline a fruitless and frustrating evening in deepest Kent.