Saturday's Ryman Premier action review

On what could prove to be a pivotal day in the Ryman League Premier Division title race, Maidstone United moved three points clear at the top of the table after second-placed Margate were beaten by third-placed Dulwich Hamlet, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

In front of a terrific crowd of 2,086 at the Gallagher Stadium, Frannie Collin came off the bench to clinch victory for the Stones against third-bottom AFC Hornchurch two minutes from time after Steve Watt had given the hosts a 37th minute lead.

Meanwhile, at Hartsdown Park in front of a crowd of 786, Margate lost 2-1 to Dulwich Hamlet for the second time this season.

Dulwich grabbed the opener after 20 minutes when Ashley Carew squared to Nyren Clunis, who slid home from a yard out. Ryan Moss pulled Margate level 10 minutes later when he headed home before the visitors regained the lead 11 minutes into the second period when Ethan Pinnock flicked home a header.

The win pulled Hamlet to within a point of Terry Brown's side and both have played two more games than Maidstone.

Fourth-placed Hendon's game was off, allowing East Thurrock United to move level on points with the Greens after edging out another of the play-off hopefuls, Leiston, 1-0 at Rookery Hill.

Top marksman Sam Higgins scored the all-important goal for the Rocks in the 56th minute.

Metropolitan Police are just a point behind East Thurrock in sixth after beating mid-table Peacehaven & Telscombe 2-0 at Imber Court – but they left it very, very late!

After holding the high-flying Police for 90 minutes, Peacehaven, who were without several first-team regulars, succumbed to two goals in the 90th minute from Joe Turner and Bradley Hudson-Odoi.

Wingate & Finchley maintained their top five hopes after edging out a Witham Town side who are just a point above the drop zone.

The Essex visitors gave the hosts a fright though after Wingate had led 3-0 and were coasting following goals from Scott Shulton in the seventh minute, Mark Goodman in the 20th and Rob Laney a minute before the break.

But a Bobby Smith own goal just past the hour-mark gave Garry Kimble's side hope and then Lewis Godbold reduced the deficit to just one with 11 minutes to go.

Hampton & Richmond Borough supporters have had to be patient during the recent winless run - and they had to wait until the last kick on Saturday to finally taste victory against second-bottom Harrow Borough at the Beveree.

It looked like a morale-sapping defeat, 1-0 down to a Nik Salapatas penalty heading into the 88th minute against managerless Harrow.

But not only did the Beavers draw level through Mark Onyemah two minutes from the end but deep into injury-time defender Matt Drage popped up with the winner.

Bottom side Bury Town are now six points adrift of the safety-mark after losing 3-0 at Ram Meadow against mid-table Kingstonian and they didn't help themselves by ending the game with only nine men!

Josh Casey gave the K`s a 35th minute lead that Adam Doyle doubled three minutes after the break. Bury`s hopes of getting back into the game virtually disappeared when striker John Sands received two yellow cards within three minutes of each other.

John Kennedy joined Sands in the dressing room twenty minutes from time before Dylan Casey made sure with the K`s third.

Fourth-bottom VCD Athletic made it a win-less day for the relegation-threatened teams, going down to a 3-1 home defeat to Bognor Regis Town.

Harvey Whyte gave the Rocks a 15th minute lead that Stuart Green added to 13 minutes later. Aaron Jeffrey reduced the arrears eight minutes into the second period, but Ollie Pearce`s spot-kick 19 minutes from time sealed victory for the visitors.

Lewes pulled themselves five points above the bottom four after a good 3-1 win at Grays Athletic.

The Rooks got off to a good start when Leroy Griffiths scored after nine minutes. Dumebi Dumaka eventually pulled the hosts back on level terms just past the hour-mark only for goals in the final four minutes from subs Nicky Wheeler and Elliot Romain to win it for Garry Wilson's side.

Tonbridge Angels dragged themselves further away from the threat of a second successive relegation after beating Enfield Town 2-1 at Longmead.

Joe Taylor proved to be Angels' hero, bagging a brace in the 45th and 79th minutes after Corey Whitely had given Town a 41st minute lead.

Saturday`s other game saw Billericay Town beat Leatherhead 2-0 at New Lodge.

Obafemi Afolabi gave the Blues the lead eight minutes before half-time and Harry Baker added a second for the hosts four minutes after the break.