Margate 2-2 Kettering

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Struggling Margate's return to Hartsdown Park did not finish with the fairytale ending their fans had hoped for as Kettering came from behind to snatch a draw.

Chris Kinnear's side were forced to play at their traditional home as Dover's Crabble ground, which they are currently sharing, was waterlogged.

Margate made the worst possible start, conceding a goal in the opening six minutes when Gez Murphy stole in past the static home defence to slot the ball home.

The home side responded with some fluid attacking football and their pressure paid off in the 17th minute when Phil Collins slipped the ball through to John Keister, who fired home from close range.

Deflected

Margate took the lead after 32 minutes when Jay Saunders rose highest to nod home an Adrian Clarke corner.

Kinnear's tactical substitution saw him send on recent signing Jean-Michel Sigere to try and finish off Kettering.

But it was the visitors who scored in the 76th minute when Craig Norman's shot was deflected into his own net by Sam Sodje.

Sigere had a chance to win the game in the dying minutes but headed over from six yards.

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Margate: Mitten, Edwards, Sodje, Porter, Oates, Clarke, Beard, McFlynn, Saunders, Keister, Collins. Subs: Lamb, Leberl, Sigere, Munday, Smith.

Kettering: Bowling, Matthews, Howarth, Norman, Piercewright, Murray, Inman, Diuk, Goodwin, Parker, Murphy. Subs: Shutt, Wayne Gourley, Edwards, Asombang, Haran.

Referee: D Deadman (Cheshunt)