Margate 2, East Thurrock United 3

ROCKS had to endure a nervous finish to tonight's Ryman League Cup clash on the Kent coast and ended up hanging on after at one point leading 3-0.

Both sides were at less than full strength, Margate through choice as they fielded a young side and East Thurrock because of a raft of injuries that saw key players Steve West, Dean Chandler and Lee Burns sidelined.

One man who came through a late fitness test was Leli Bajada and he quickly proved his worth, firing Rocks into a 13th minute lead.

Bajada had the ball in the net again soon after but the effort was ruled out for offside but Rocks did extend their lead on 41 minutes through Lee Williams.

Having been dominant through much of the half they probably thought a two goal lead was less than they deserved but they picked up where they left off on the restart and looked to have put the match well beyond Margate when debutant Akwasi Edusei, who had come off the bench, scored on 80 minutes.

The 20-year old is a former Gillingham player, where he made his debut aged just 16, and he spent last season at Welling. He trialled in the close season at Kingstonian but the speedy youngster looks a useful acquisition.

However, he got a taste of what life can be like with Rocks when the home side bounced back in the closing five minutes.

Nick Muir and Rob Howarth pulled goals back in the 85th and 86th minutes to set up a rousing finish but Rocks just held their nerve to win through.