STEVE King’s late header saw Concord snatch three points to move up to third place in the Ryman Premier following a tough encounter with second-placed Margate.

The centre back’s second goal in as many games edged a physical encounter against Gate, who, despite having the majority of possession, were left ruing missed chances.

Margate settled quickly, leaving Concord’s defence throwing their bodies in the way of shots.

But it was home striker Harry Elmes who had the first chance of the game in the ninth minute when he latched onto a loose ball and forced Craig Holloway to push his shot onto the crossbar.

The Beachboys took the lead in the 16th minute when USA-bound Reece Harris kept the ball going out for a throw before inter-linking passes with Tony Stokes.

Concord’s captain crossed into the box from the left and - despite John Beales getting a slight touch - Nicky Cowley was still able to head home.

Danny Stubbs was given a golden opportunity to equalise after King fouled ex-Canvey player Michael Alaile in the box, but the forward smashed his penalty over in the 32nd minute.

Carl Rook did equalise for Margate in first half injury time after reacting quickest when Matt Bodkin’s shot crashed off the bar.

The second half was a slower affair with the first talking point not coming until the 71st minute when Jack Lampe’s thumping volley from 25-yards out forced a fantastic save from Holloway.

Then seven minutes from time Concord won a free kick about halfway into Margate’s half on the right wing which Harris lobbed into a crowded box.

King out-jumped Holloway to head into the net, much to the delight of his team-mates and the home crowd.

The visitors could not force another chance, and Concord boss Dan Cowley said: “We knew it was going to be tough. Early on they had the upper hand and perhaps earlier in the season we would have buckled.

“But we have found a bit more steel about us recently and I thought we defended really well.”

Concord: Lovelock, Osifuwa, Glozier, King, Easterford, Spendlove, Cowley, Lampe, Harris, Elmes, Stokes (Hallett 72).

Echo MOM: John Easterford (Concord Rangers).