Margate manager Reece Prestedge’s frustration as Dulwich Hamlet benefit from extra 45 seconds to score last-gasp leveller

Reece Prestedge questioned the amount of added time after Margate conceded a last-gasp equaliser at Dulwich Hamlet in the Isthmian Premier on Saturday.

Gate overturned a 1-0 half-time deficit to lead 2-1 thanks to Sam Blackman’s strike on the hour and a 90th-minute Steve Cawley goal.

The visitors negotiated the signalled six minutes but play went on and Hamlet snatched a 2-2 draw with the last kick.

Gate boss Prestedge was shocked to discover an additional 45 seconds had been added on by referee Tolu Sangowawa while he booked Gate player-coach Phil Roberts.

The caution itself was contentious with Roberts carded for timewasting after a replacement ball, thrown on by the home dugout, struck him on the heel.

“We should have won the game,” said Gate boss Prestedge.

“The referee decided to play an extra 45 seconds for a ball that’s come on the pitch and hit one of our players.

“It’s hit our player on the back of the heel - he wasn’t even looking at the ball - and the referee has booked him for timewasting and added on 45 seconds for it, which is beyond me.

“I heard he got told about it by the assessor but that doesn’t make any difference to us because the game’s done.

“If he’d added on 10 seconds, fine, but he’s given the home team 45 seconds for nothing. He told me that’s what he added on.

“I could understand if something had happened or one of our players had gone down but to add 45 seconds for that, when it shouldn’t even have been a booking, I just don’t get it.

“It took five seconds to get the ball back in.

“It’s so frustrating because they’ve scored from the last kick and we’ve dropped two points again.

“I’ve looked at the video and we could have done better for the goal but if he doesn’t add that time, we win the game.