Bradley Woods-Garness was the early marksman for the islanders. Joe Keehan replied after 26 minutes and Jed Wallace’s 62nd-minute effort took Hawks to the top of the pile.
Behind them only on goals scored are Hampton, who reclaimed second spot with a 2-1 home win over Lewes. There was a rapid exchange of goals just before the half-hour, with Anthony Thomas swiftly replying to Joe Turner’s opener for the Beavers and doubling Hampton’s goals-against tally in the process. Joel Ledgister claimed the winner with 16 minutes left.
A win would have kept Margate on terms with the top two but they were stunned by Concord’s highly-rated Tony Stokes, who struck twice in the last ten minutes to pull off a 2-0 victory for the Essex visitors.
East Thurrock produced the comeback of the night. Goals early in each half by Tyler Campbell and Liam Hope left them 2-0 down at Enfield Town. Sam Collins opened Rocks’ account with 20 minutes left, Hakeem Araba levelled matters in the 82nd minute and Kris Newby’s 89th-minute strike stole a 3-2 victory.
Carshalton’s poor start to the season continued with a 2-0 home defeat by Bognor, who are right up with the leading group. Dan Kempson put the Sussex Rocks ahead after 34 minutes and Carl Walshe nodded in the second just before the break, after James Crane's effort had been scrambled off line, just before the break.
Harrow are still seeking their first away point after going down 2-1 at Wingate, their fourth defeat on the road. They had hopes of breaking their duck when Simeon Akinola put them ahead after 20 minutes but it all went wrong midway through the second half, when the hosts were awarded a penalty and James Burgess was sent off before Jordan Fowler converted the kick. Murat Karagul hit the winner five minutes later.
Bury had a night to remember, despite not being in league action. They thrashed Sudbury 10-1 in the Suffolk Premier Cup, with hat-tricks for John Sands and Allicion Blake.
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