WEALDSTONE kept their title hopes alive with an impressive 4-2 victory over play-off chasing Margate.

A double blast from Tom Pett, a Gate own-goal and a debut strike from former Wycombe Wanderers striker Scott McGleish (pictured) made it a memorable night for the visitors.

The Stones got off to the worst possible start as lax defending saw them fall behind with just three minutes on the clock.

Joe Vines made space on the left hand side before swinging over a cross which was nodded into the path of Kezie Ibe who headed home from close range.

Margate, who were undefeated in seven, equalised on 25 minutes when new signing McGleish picked out the impressive Tom Pett on the corner of the box who curled a delightful effort into the top corner.

After the disastrous start Stones were now brimming with confidence, and they took the lead five minutes before the break with the combination of Pett and McGleish working to good effect once again.

A pinpoint through ball was played to McGleish, with the former Colchester United man expertly dummying it into the path of Pett who slammed the ball into the bottom corner to ensure Stones took a 2-1 lead into the break.

The equaliser came for Gate on 55 minutes when Tommy Whitnell slotted home following good work from Ibe.

The sides were level for a mere six minutes though as Wealdstone dramatically regained the lead when Matt Bodkin put through his own net after Chappell had powerfully driven the ball across the box following good work by the industrious Peter Dean.

And it got better for Stones one minute later as McGleish capped a fine debut with his first goal for the club when he was first to a loose ball in the box to send a looping header over the Margate keeper to seal victory.

The victory was made all the more significant as the top two teams Concord Rangers and Whitehawk both dropped points.

Wealdstone now sit in third place, 11 points behind the leaders but with four games in hand.

Stones now look forward to Thursday night’s important home encounter with fellow promotion chasers Concord Rangers.

Meanwhile, in the Evo-Stik Division One Central AFC Hayes slumped to a 3-0 defeat against the league leaders Burnham.

Niko Muir and Juan Onieva netted for Northwood in a 2-1 defeat of Thatcham Town, which allowed them to climb up two places in the league and move ahead of AFC Hayes.

In the Spartan South Midlands Premier League Harefield United lost 4-2 to Hadley and Hillingdon Borough were defeated 4-1 by Hanwell Town.