Margate 1-2 Billericay Town

(May 26’: Deering 30’, Robinson 63’ (p))

From Hartsdown Park

Isthmian Premier League

BILLERICAY Town came from behind to defeat Margate and move to within a victory of the National League South.

Four points ahead of Dulwich Hamlet with two matches remaining, Billericay know three points against Harlow Town on Tuesday will hand them the Isthmian Premier League crown.

Goals from Sam Deering and Jake Robinson were enough come the final whistle.

Town had the first shot of the match, Danny Waldren’s 25 yard strike whistling past the near post.

Up the other end, Frannie Collin powered an effort narrowly wide of the target as the game got off to a tentative start.

Town somehow kept their clean sheet intact on 15 minutes when a goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Joe Kizzi only for James Rogers to slam the follow-up against the foot of the Billericay post.

The hosts were on top and needed Alan Julian to get down smartly to block Sam Blackman’s strike at the midway point of the first half.

Deering shot wide of the post but Margate were to get the first goal and deservedly so.

The ball dropped to Jay May outside the penalty area and he curled brilliantly into the net.

But five minutes later it was all square. Robinson played in Deering who cut inside and shot into the corner.

The game had burst into life but Margate should have been celebrating another goal five minutes after the leveller.

Collin had what appeared to be a perfectly good strike chalked off for offside as the Kent club enjoyed the stronger finish to the half.

And they should have retaken the lead five minutes after the interval. Jordan Chiedozie sent a downward header at goal but Julian threw out a powerful right arm to turn the ball aside.

And Town were to make them pay. A poorly timed challenge on Deering just after the hour handed the league leaders a penalty and Robinson made no mistake from the penalty spot.

May was the width of the post away from bringing Margate level as the game entered the final 20 minutes.

But there was no late drama as Billericay turn their attentions to Tuesday.

Billericay Town: Julian, Kizzi, Urquhart, Paine, Inman, Deering, Modeste, Waldren (Evans 52’), Bricknell (Cunnington 52’), O’Hara (Hughes 84'), Robinson