Horndean boss feeling so proud
The home side were mightily relieved to get through with a 3-2 win at Hartsdown Park.
Visiting manager Michael Birmingham lauded the bravery of his team.
He said: '˜I can't speak too highly of my players.
'˜They produced an unbelievably brave performance.
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Hide Ad'˜We showed real backbone, were organised and hard to play against.
'˜I knew beforehand we were a good side but we set different standards again in this game.
'˜Our discipline and concentration levels were something else again.
'˜We played with a great tempo when we didn't have the ball.
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Hide Ad'˜This was against a team full of experienced players who have played at a good level.'
Alfie Lis rocked the hosts by giving the Deans a 15th-minute lead.
The key moment of the tie arrived a minute before the break.
Harry Jackson saw his lob come back off the crossbar and the home side immediately broke to grab an equaliser.
Margate stretched into a 3-1 lead in the second half.
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Hide AdHorndean however fought back through Jack Maloney and went close to forcing a replay.
Birmingham added: '˜Their goalkeeper made four terrific saves towards the end.
'˜The lads did themselves and our league proud with the way they played.'
In the Wessex League premier division AFC Portchester got back to winning ways with a crushing 8-1 win against Andover New Street at the Crest Finance stadium.
Dan Simmons had a field day scoring five goals.
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Hide AdFurther goals from Brandon Miller, Ryan Woodford and an own goal completed the rout.
Two set-piece goals sent Baffins Milton Rovers to a 2-0 defeat at Bashley.
Steve Leigh was disappointed feeling his side were the better team.
He said: '˜I couldn't knock the effort and application.
'˜We just need to be better in both boxes.'
Fareham Town battled to a 0-0 draw at Alresford Town.
In the Wessex League Cup a Mig Dark hat-trick fired United Services Portsmouth to a 4-2 win at Laverstock & Ford.
Harry Potter also found the net for the Sailors.
Petersfield Town forced a 1-1 draw at Fawley in division one.