Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

Ryman Premier leaders Margate's Christmas was spoiled somewhat when Tony Coade`s first game in charge of Peacehaven & Telscombe saw the Haven win 2-1 at Hartsdown Park on Saturday, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

The Gate got off to a great start when Ryan Moss put them in front after less than seven minutes. But Tom Burton equalised for the Haven on the half-hour mark and then Wilf Grimaud won it for the visitors with 12 minutes to go.

Second-placed Maidstone United, however, were only able to pull one point closer to the leaders after being held to a 1-1 draw at the Gallagher Stadium by fourth-placed Hendon.

A terrific pre-Christmas crowd of 1,996 saw Frannie Collin give the Stones the lead seven minutes after half-time. And that looked like being the winner until Elliott Braithwaite`s first goal for the Greens levelled things in time added on.

Dulwich Hamlet are third after a hard-fought 1-0 Champion Hill win over struggling Witham Town, Xavier Vidal scoring the all-important goal for Hamlet in front of another good crowd of 820 on the hour-mark.

Leiston slipped out of the play-off places after slipping to a 2-1 defeat to mid-table Leatherhead, who ended the game with ten-men.

The Blues had led via Josh Mayhew's first Leiston goal after 13 minutes but were then pegged back by a goal in either half from Vasieleious Karagiannis on 28 minutes and Kiernan Hughes-Mason immediately after the break.

Metropolitan Police re-took fifth spot after a comprehensive 5-0 drubbing of ten-man East Thurrock United on their own Rookery Hill patch.

Charlie Collins gave the Met a 42nd minute lead but it all kicked off right on the half-time whistle when the Rocks` Dave Bryant was sent-off and Collins converted the resulting penalty.

Steve Sutherland added a third on 68 minutes and then Matt Pattison and Jay Lovett scored twice in two minutes midway through the half to make it a nap hand for Jim Cooper`s side.

Wingate & Finchley moved level on points with Leiston after a 1-0 win over now managerless Grays Athletic at the Harry Abrahams Stadium, top scorer David Knight scoring the only goal of the game after 53 minutes.

Bognor Regis Town are only a point behind Wingate and Leiston in eighth after recording a 2-1 Nyewood Lane victory over Enfield Town, who they leap-frogged in the table.

Stuart Green gave the Rocks the boost of an early eighth minute lead that Tony Burke cancelled out after 43 minutes. But parity lasted barely two minutes as James Crane scored what proved to be Bognor`s winner right on half-time.

There was no pre-Christmas pick-me-up for Hampton & Richmond Borough fans after a third straight defeat at the Beveree against Billericay Town.

The Beavers were left to rue yet another costly red card - Saheed Sankoh sent-off for the second Saturday running. And with his side 1-0 down thanks Richard Halle's 24th minute penalty, it made life too difficult with over 35 minutes left.

With 11 minutes still on the clock Billericay put themselves into a strong position as midfielder Glen Poole made it 2-0 with a good finish. In time added on the home side did manage to give themselves a flicker of hope as Tom Collins got himself on the scoresheet but it couldn't spark a revival.

In contrast, Kingstonian's Pelayo Pico Gomez had a day to remember, however. The K's striker netted a hat-trick with goals in the 58th, 71st and 75th minutes to beat Canvey Island at the Prospects Stadium – and all after Enoch Showunmi had given the Gulls an 11th minute lead.

AFC Hornchurch and Tonbridge Angels shared a goalless draw at Bridge Road, while the other two matches - both involving teams in trouble – ended 1-1.

Sam Crabb gave visiting Lewes a 29th minute lead at Earlsmead against Harrow Borough, whose Greg Ngoyi levelled six minutes later.

And second-bottom VCD Athletic also shared the spoils with bottom-markers Bury Town, whose Russell Short was sent-off right at the end after Joey Benjamin had equalised Nick Reeves' 55th minute opener for the Vickers in the 69th minute.