Telford equalised five minutes from time to dash Margate's hopes of a morale-boosting victory ahead of next week's big game at Leyton Orient in the FA Cup.

Substitute Kevin Jobling struck a right-foot volley from Gareth Hanmer's cross to give the lowly visitors a draw they just about deserved.

John Keister had scored from the penalty spot to give struggling Margate the lead, placing his kick beyond Paul Edwards in the 48th minute after a foul by Grant Brown on Margate striker Phil Collins.

It was the perfect start to the second half for the home side, who has endured a difficult first period in which goalkeeper Charlie Mitten was called on to make several important saves.

He kept out a shot and a header from Steve Kerrigan before tipping Gary Fitzpatrick's effort round the post as Telford pressed hard for a breakthrough goal.

Margate, who gave a debut to on-loan QPR striker Leroy Griffiths, had plenty of possession but could not carve out a clear-cut chance.

Twice Collins fired shots wide and Keister could not hit the target with a header.

But they held their own in a tense second half littered with fouls until Telford's pressure told with the minutes ticking away.

Margate: Mitten, Edwards, Sodje, Porter, Oates, Lamb, Keister, Leberl, Saunders, Collins, Griffiths. Subs: Smith, Shearer, McFlynn, Munday, Turner.

Telford: Edwards, Davies, Hanmer, Grant Brown, Spink, Barlow, Fitzpatrick, Palmer, David Brown, Smith, Kerrigan. Subs: Jones, Jobling, Moore, Wooliscroft.

Referee: T Kettle (Maidenhead)