Margate remain two points off the top of Ryman League Premier Division after a battling 2-0 success at AFC Hornchurch on Saturday afternoon.

Gate left it late but were indebted to midfielder Lewis Taylor who played despite having a broken cheekbone and set the visitors on their way to the points at winless Hornchurch with a lovely curling strike from outside the box 20 minutes from time.

Gate keeper Nikki Bull denied Junior Luke’s low drive as the hosts began brighter, and Bull was also equal to a George Purcell shot soon after.

Ryan Moss went close to a virtuoso opener for the visitors before the break, waltzing through the defence only to roll his shot inches wide of the post with keeper Sam Mott beaten.

Terry Brown brought Jason Prior on for Luke Moore at the break and the Blues improved in the second-half, though Zac Attwood could not convert a Jack Bennett cross.

At the other end Bull stopped Chris Bourne’s header before Purcell and Luke spurned good chances to open the scoring, and Taylor made them pay, sweeping a shot past Mott from 20 yards after good work from skipper Charlie Allen.

Moss went close to a second with a header which rattled the bar and Attwood was denied by Mott before Prior sealed the win with his first league goal for Gate, outmuscling Omar Beckles before curling past Mott.

Gate remain two points adrift of rivals Maidstone, who won 4-0 at Enfield, but return to Hartsdown on Tuesday night to welcome Witham Town.