Margate 2 Halifax 1

JAKE LEBERL’S second spectacular goal in the space of five days earned Margate three more Nationwide Conference points at Crabble on Saturday.

The midfielder followed up his 30-yarder in the BOSE Kent Senior Cup at Erith with another long range strike, and the victory ended Halifax’s play-off chances, and keep Chris Kinnear’s side on course for a possible LDV Vans spot next season.

Leberl’s 25-yard effort 10 minutes into the second half proved the match-winner, a dipping, swerving effort that flew past Halifax’s veteran keeper Lee Butler.

Boss Chris Kinnear praised Halifax for the way they played, and admitted the game was a better spectacle than some recently.

The West Yorkshire club, just out of administration, took the lead after only 14 minutes when Craig Midgley put them in front with a shot that crept inside Phil Smith’s post.

In-form Jean-Michel Sigere twice went close to adding to his impressive tally of six goals in the last four games.

Margate got back on terms eight minutes before half time. Full back Greg Oates’ cross eluded everybody, but Adrian Clarke refused to give up on a lost cause, and his cross found Jay Saunders who lashed his shot into the back of the net.

Terry McFlynn, back from international duty with Northern Ireland Under-21s, saw his 20-yard effort go close, and then Sam Sodje headed over the bar.

Halifax and boss Chris Wilder were convinced they should have had a late penalty when Andy Farrell headed a free kick which struck Paul Lamb on the hand, but Hounslow referee Jarnail Singh gave nothing. Margate introduced former Chelsea youngster Ian Pulman for his Conference debut.

The 18-year-old was given his first start in the BOSE Kent Senior Cup win at Erith, and got his chance as both Phil Collins and Leon Braithwaite were ruled out because of injury.

He was the only forward on the bench with Kinnear again forced to name two goalkeepers on the bench, including coach Lee Turner.

Pulman was at Stamford Bridge for six years, and has played in the reserves this season.

He only lives around the corner from Hartsdown Park, and assistant manager Kevin Raine explained: “He was recommended to us, and played for our PASE team.

“He went training with the first team, and Chris named him in the squad for the game at Welling last week.”

Sierra Leone international John Keister returns for Saturday’s trip to Southport. He missed the Halifax win because of a one match ban.

Keister played in front of 30,000 in the goalless African Nations Cup draw with Morocco in Freetown, and three days later ran out at Welling to face Erith in front of just 179 spectators.