Margate v Leyton

THE battle to gain promotion into the Ryman League Premier Division is shaping up to be a real end-of-season lottery.

Margate have been "in it to win it" since the opening game of the season, but go into tonight's home game against Leyton clinging on to fifth place, the final play-off spot.

However with the Hartsdown Park pitch still waterlogged yesterday after weekend downpours and more rain last night, the game could be called off, leaving Margate facing further fixture problems.

Meanwhile, club secretary Ken Tomlinson is this week still trying to confirm rearranged dates with Horsham and Billericay, and more postponements will prove an additional worry with four players serving suspensions.

Justin Skinner completed his three-match ban last week, but Paul Abbott, skipper Steve McKimm, Lee Protheroe and Dean Standen are still ruled out.

Margate were happy with a point from their trip to AFC Wimbledon in front of nearly 3,000, on a day when Bromley 3-2 winners at home to Hampton, regained top spot from Chelmsford whose trip to Ramsgate was the only game lost to the weather.