CRAWLEY Town began a tough run of fixtures with a 1-0 defeat away to a ten man Margate side who now go top of the Dr Martens League premier division.

The main talking point came when referee Mark Ives sent off Margate striker Paul Sykes for two bookable offences in the space of a minute just before half time.

Crawley had 50 minutes to take advantage of the extra man but, with conditions getting worse, the visitors struggled to muster an attack.

The only goal of a dreadful game came on 65 minutes when Elliot Martin's free kick was fumbled by Little and Tony Dixon struck home into an empty net.

Curtis Johnson should have levelled late on but his effort dropped agonisingly wide with the goal at his mercy.

ST LEONARDS came from behind three times to earn a 3-3 draw at Tonbridge Angels.

The home side twice led through Dave Arter, but Carleton Chatelier cancelled out the first on 25 minutes and then saw his shot turned into his own net by defender Danny Tingley for the second equaliser seven minutes from time.

Marc Rust put the home side back in front a minute from time only for Chatelier to level again in added time.

Hastings Town returned to form with a 2-0 win over promotion rivals Ashford Town.

Second half goals from Steve Yates and Danny Simmonds helped Hastings forget their derby drubbing at the hands of St Leonards.

There was even time for Terry White to miss his second penalty in as many matches.

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