Margate were held to a point after letting a 2-1 lead slip at Canvey Island as they lost ground on leaders Maidstone in the Ryman League Premier Division.

Margate started the better side but couldn't find a way past Canvey keeper Tim Brown.

Brett Johnson was denied in the first minute and Lewis Taylor in the ninth before Freddie Ladapo had a header loop just over two minutes later.

Jamie Taylor then flashed a shot across the face of the box, and it looked only a matter of time before Gate took the lead.

However, it was Canvey that struck first on 27 minutes, against the run of play. Dave Collis volleying them in front.

Margate continued to press and Lewis Taylor headed wide from 10 yards before they drew level three minutes before half-time.

Lewis Taylor released Jamie Taylor, who stroked the ball home - however that was to be his last contribution as the goalscorer was replaced by Ryan Moss just before the break.

After the break, Margate had Nikki Bull to thank for keeping them level, flying off his line to deny George Sykes.

Harrison Chatting also fired an effort over the Gate bar, before the away side took the lead through Ladapo on 62 minutes.

Lewis Taylor blocked a Brown kick forward and the ball fell to Ladapo to slot home into an empty net.

A minute later Bull was forced into action again, tipping Ashley Dumas' shot wide as the home side looked for an immediate reponse.

The home side continued to press and Steve Smith fired wide when clean through, and Bull saved again to deny Enoch Showumni.

And the pressure finally told with five minutes remaining, Jay Curran equalising from the spot for Canvey after Lewis Taylor was adjudged to have fouled Sykes in the box.

Margate came close to finding a dramatic winner in the final minute, but Moss' header from a corner was cleared off the line.

The result leaves Gate 10 points behind leaders Maidstone, but do have two games in hand.